With the Detroit Tigers’ Victor Martinez and Miguel Cabrera‘s health, it’s apparently a numbers game. In an article today with the Detroit Free Press, Anthony Fenech layed out some more information regarding Cabrera’s return.
“He should be really close,” Ausmus said.
Cabrera has been running exclusively on a special anti-gravity treadmill while recuperating from his off-season foot surgery. Apparently, the equipment allows the user to bear only a percentage of body weight while running. According to Ausmus, the percentage is improving.
Cabrera ran at 72% body weight a couple of days ago, Ausmus said this morning in TigerTown, and as soon as he can run on the specialized machine at 80% body weight, he will be able to run on flat ground. He also will be able to field ground balls hit directly at him.
While Cabrera isn’t taking full participation in defensive drills and activities, he’s still taking batting practice. Apparently he hasn’t lost his power at the plate.
Cabrera has taken batting practice on the field the past three days, and hitting coach Wally Joyner reported to Ausmus that “he looked good.”
“He was hitting balls 425 feet out to left-center,” Ausmus said.
Martinez has been working out on the anti-gravity treadmill as well. His latest weight maximum is 60%. Both players are still a question mark for opening day.
Yoenis Cespedes won’t be playing today in Grapefruit League action against the Braves.
Yoenis Cespedes was scratched from today's lineup due to lower back tightness.
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) March 5, 2015
No further updates yet as to the extent of the back injury for Cespedes. Stay tuned to Detroit Sports Nation for all your Tiger updates.
