The Detroit Tigers have placed first baseman Miguel Cabrera on the 10-day disabled list with a right groin strain, the team announced Saturday morning. The club has not yet given a timetable for the two-time MVP's return.
Cabrera, 34, left Friday's game with the injury. It appears he hurt himself stretching for a ball at first base. Here's the video:
Cabrera also dove for a ground ball in that game, so he could have suffered the injury at that time as well. Either way, he's been placed on the disabled list.
The season is young, but 2017 has already been a tough year for Cabrera physically. He had to withdraw from the World Baseball Classic with a back issue, then he had to sit out a game last week with renewed back soreness. Now he's dealing with the groin injury. Clearly the Tigers are hoping the disabled list stint allows Cabrera to get 100 percent.
So far this season Cabrera is hitting .269/.369/.464 (142 OPS+) with three home runs, which is nice production for most players but qualifies as a slow start for Miggy. He has been one of the most durable players in baseball over the years, playing 148-plus games in 12 of 13 seasons from 2004-16.
The Tigers called up catcher John Hicks to fill Cabrera's roster spot, which indicates they plan to play catcher Alex Avila at first base during Cabrera's absence. Victor Martinez, who has had some lower body injuries himself in recent years, is now a full-time designated hitter. He's not a first base option.
