CLEVELAND – Miguel Cabrera’s strong and compact swing hasn’t been the same this season.
The Detroit Tigers slugger was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a bicep sprain that hit the Venezuelan during the start of the season.
Cabrera, who is nearing 500 home runs and other career milestones, defended first base in Saturday’s 11-3 loss for the Indians. He went 3-0 at home before being replaced by a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning.
Manager AJ Hinch reported on Sunday that Cabrera had been uncomfortable for a while and felt “something” when he waved in the seventh inning.
Hinch added that he had realized that Cabrera had changed the mechanics of his swing, without letting go of a hand after completing, and that it was wise to stop him before the injury got more serious.
“I told him after the game that I didn’t want him playing awkwardly, to get screened and we put him on the disabled list to get this sorted out early,” Hinch said.
Hinch said the 11-time “All Star” will be tested in Cleveland on Sunday. The Tigers will also confer with their doctors in Detroit. Currently.
At this point, he said the plan is for the two-time MVP winner to stay with the team and accompany them to Houston.
37-year old Cabrera has 488 home runs in his career and started weak in 2021. He hits only .125 (3 hits in 24 at-bats) with one homerun and three RBI’s in seven games.
Hinch was concerned about Cabrera’s injury but said he will not rush a lawsuit until the team receives more information.
“I don’t like that he changed the swing to make up for this,” Hinch said. “That irritated me and made me sick that he was dealing with pain. It wasn’t very acute pain, but we need to find answers to understand how this affects his confidence and comfort.”
Cabrera has 2,869 career hits, falling four short to rival Babe Ruth on the all-time list. You are assumed to scale other lists before you retire.
To replace Cabrera, the Tigres brought forward Venezuelan infielder Renato Núñez.
Cabrera’s injury is the second significant loss the Tigers have suffered this weekend. Their Colombian starter Julio Tehran was placed on the injury list on Saturday due to a sprained shoulder and could be out of action for months. The team placed him on the 60-day disabled list on Sunday.
Hinch said Tehran will be tested further, but it has become clear in the past 24 hours that the right will be absent for much longer than he initially expected.