Detroit Tigers Lineup: Miguel Cabrera Back in at Third Base

Sep 21, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) hits a single in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Miguel Cabrera left after the ninth inning of Saturday’s amazing come from behind win over the Chicago White Sox and then sat out Sunday afternoon in the series finale. It was revealed that the injury he’s dealing with is a strained groin – one that will likely keep him hobbled through the playoffs.

The fact that Cabrera has been visibly hobbled for more than a month – combined with the fact that the division is pretty much all wrapped up – has caused many to call for an extended rest period for the Detroit Tigers’ slugger. But manager Jim Leyland doesn’t appear inclined to give him a long break right before the playoffs.

It’s easy to criticize Leyland for not resting him – he hasn’t been running much at all for several weeks – but we don’t know the full details of the situation. It could be that Cabrera is begging to be included in the lineup. It could be that taking a week off won’t really help the injury heal all that much anyway. It could be getting out of the flow of the game could be more detrimental to the team’s success than having a 75% Cabrera on the field in the first place.

But what we do know is that it appears that Cabrera will not be getting more than one day off in a row in this final week.

Here’s the full lineup for Monday’s series opener in Minnesota: