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Miggy: Nobody in Detroit appreciates it when you play hurt

Gregory Shamus / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Miguel Cabrera won't return to the lineup until he's 100 percent.

The Detroit Tigers first baseman is currently on the disabled list due to a strained hamstring - one of a number of ailments that have slowed him in recent years. Cabrera said that he typically tries to get back to the lineup as quickly as possible, but this time, he won't return until he's fully healed.

"I went through that last year, so I don't want to do the same thing," Cabrera said, according to Evan Woodbery of Michigan Live. "Nobody appreciates you when you play hurt, so I'm going to take my time and play when I'm good. I played hurt a lot of years here in Detroit. They don't appreciate that. When you are doing bad, they crush you. They crush you. They say you're bad, you should go home, you don't deserve anything, you're old. I say, 'OK, I'm done playing hurt.' Now I take my time."

Cabrera, 35, was limited to 130 games last season due to back pain. He hit .249/.329/.399 with 16 home runs and 110 strikeouts in the worst campaign of his career - one that he would eventually label a "nightmare." It also marked the first time he wasn't an All-Star since 2009.

While Cabrera has been more productive at the plate this season, slashing .323/.407/.516 with three home runs, he's already been bothered by back, hamstring, hip, and biceps issues. There's no timeline for his return from the DL.

The Tigers still have an enormous financial commitment to Cabrera. He earned $28 million in 2017 and will make $30 million this season. He's owed $154 million over the next five seasons, with $30 million vesting options in both 2024 and 2025 that kick in should he finish in the top 10 in MVP voting the previous years.

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