We’re just 10 days away from Opening Day of 2017. It means some last-minute fine-tuning, personnel decisions and avoiding any major injury/health problems.
Unfortunately, for the Tigers, they could be without two of their premier sluggers come that first game on the south side of Chicago. Both first baseman Miguel Cabrera (back) and outfielder J.D. Martinez are still dealing with lingering injuries, and their status for Opening Day is still uncertain.
Cabrera left a game in the World Baseball Classic last week with back tightness and was subsequently sent back to Tigers camp. He has seen little to no game time action since then, but the 11-time All-Star and 2-time MVP is in no hurry to get fully healthy.
“I don’t know,” he said. “You never know. I will play when I am ready to play. If I can play tomorrow, I will play tomorrow. But I am not worried about that right now. I am worried about getting my back good and making sure I am 100%.”
“I hurt my back the first game in Mexico,” Cabrera said Thursday at Joker Marchant Stadium. “Out there, long game, and I felt a pop in the right side.”
Martinez meanwhile appears to be progressing slowly but surely since leaving a game last week with an apparent foot problem. He’s scheduled to receive a CT scan and further evaluation on the severity of the injury some time on Friday.
The Tigers have nine more spring scrimmages between now and April 1. Then the Opening Day 25-man will make its trip up north to Chicago and begin the 2017 season with a 3-game series against the White Sox.
It seems as though the Tigers could be without their No. 3 and 5 hitters come Monday, April 3. For how long though, however, remains to be seen.
