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Cabrera dealing with 2 herniated discs in back

Rick Osentoski / USA TODAY Sports

The source of Miguel Cabrera's nagging back issues may have been discovered, as an MRI revealed the Detroit Tigers slugger has two herniated discs, manager Brad Ausmus said, according to Anthony Fenech of the Free Press.

Despite the new discovery, Cabrera may continue to play this season, though he's likely to see action only as a designated hitter, reports MLB.com's Jason Beck.

Cabrera has been battling through back pain all season after he first tweaked it during the World Baseball Classic. Despite his struggles - he's slashing .249/.329/.399 with a career-low .728 OPS in 130 games in 2017 - Ausmus stated earlier in September that he wouldn't shut down Cabrera for the rest of the season.

In August, Ausmus, who dealt with his own back issues during his career, said Cabrera's ailments would follow him for the rest of his playing days.

"Quite frankly, I think he’s going to have to deal with it the rest of his career," the Tigers skipper said then.

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