Detroit Tigers Links: Cabrera is Back, Verlander’s Pitch “Slipped”, and Jackson is Weird

May 14, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) hits a two-run RBI single in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera Continues To Get Closer To Resembling His Old Self – Brad Faber – Rant Sports

"Cabrera’s overall batting average is now at a healthy .295, which is astonishingly still well below his career mark of .320. Cabrera has actually only batted below .300 three times: his first two seasons with the Florida Marlins and his first season with the Tigers. He batted .268, .294 and .292 in those seasons, respectively. However, when the leaves turn brown this fall, it is a pretty safe bet that Cabrera’s batting average will be over the .300 mark once again."

I think he’s already back. The season numbers aren’t there yet, but he’s been hitting at a clip of.324/.364/.549 in his last 25 games, and .327/.368/.635 for the month of May.

Justin Verlander says pitch ‘slipped’ behind Nelson Cruz – George Sipple – Free Press

"Asked why he talked to the ump, Showalter said: “I’m just trying to figure out the consistency of it. You get one pitch and they read intent on Bud, and you get one pitch that’s completely obvious that there’s intent there, so why did you issue a warning and not eject him? At that point, I think our guys were kind of hoping he’d stay in the game.”"

I think throwing at batters is always stupid, so pitchers should just stop it. Also retaliation for a hit batter is dumb. And so is speculating if alleged retaliation was indeed intentional.

Tigers have fun with ‘hilarious’ Austin Jackson after cameras catch him making strange faces – Chris Iott – MLive

"A group of players gathered around Jackson’s locker and watched video of Jackson and broke out into laughter. Torii Hunter heard about the video and watched it on a media member’s cell phone, then snatched the cell phone and ran into a room adjacent to the clubhouse to have some fun with Jackson.Hunter emerged with a huge grin on his face.“There’s something wrong with him, man,” he said."

Those eyes! Maybe there was an angel sitting with Mel Clark at the end of the dugout or something.

Putkonen may rejoin Tigers after rehab appearance – Jason Beck – MLB.com

"Tigers officials were planning to discuss the possibility on Wednesday after Putkonen gave up three singles and a grand slam in his second inning of work for Toledo on Tuesday night.Mud Hens manager Larry Parrish told the Toledo Blade there was some issue with Putkonen’s stuff.“I didn’t think he had the pop on his fastball, the movement,” Parrish told The Blade’s John Wagner. “There were also some things we don’t want to talk about, but that we might be able to help him with.”"

Sounds like they might just be better off keeping him in Toledo for awhile to get straightened out.