Miguel Cabrera makes first career trip to DL with strained left calf

For the first time in his 13-year career, Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera is headed to the disabled list. 

Cabrera was forced from Friday night’s 8-6 win against the Toronto Blue Jays with a third degree strained of his left calf, which could reportedly sideline him up to six weeks. 

The injury occurred in the fourth inning when Cabrera was running the bases. Cabrera was stationed at first with no outs and a 3-2 count to Victor Martinez when the Tigers elected to put him motion. Martinez fouled the pitch off, which ended up being the best case for Detroit as Cabrera was only able to make it half way to second base. After being tended to by the Tigers athletic trainer, Cabrera struggled to the clubhouse and now limps to the DL for the first time after 1,896 career games. 

Unfortunately, this news doesn’t come as a surprise to the Tigers. Following the game, manager Brad Ausmus said Cabrera was in rough shape and unlikely to avoid the disabled list. 

”I’m not optimistic at all,” Ausmus told the gathered media. ”When Miggy says he can’t play, it is serious, because Miggy plays through everything.”

An MRI confirmed their fears, and now Detroit must move forward without its former MVP for at least the rest of July.   

It should be said Cabrera hasn’t necessarily been an iron man. He’s missed games here and there over the years while dealing with various short-term ailments. He was even questionable to be ready for opening day this season after undergoing offseason ankle surgery. This is just his first truly significant in-season injury, and it comes at a bad time for the Tigers. 

Cabrera is still as good as they come at the plate. Through 77 games, he was hitting .350/.456/.578 with 15 homers and 54 RBIs. He ranks top 10 in MLB in each of those statistical categories aside from the home runs. 

Cabrera’s presence is so important to Detroit’s lineup because his production is impossible to replace. With Detroit already six games behind Kansas City in the AL Central and behind six teams in the AL wild-card standings, his absence could seal their fate.

If nothing else, it will definitely test their resolves.  

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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813