Detroit Tigers: Miguel Cabrera Back From Disabled List, John Hicks Optioned

Apr 19, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) points during the fifth inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) points during the fifth inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Tigers fans got some excellent news on Tuesday morning. The team’s official Twitter account announced in a tweet that first baseman Miguel Cabrera has been activated from the disabled list.

Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera is back from the disabled list.

The future Hall of Famer missed a total of nine games for Detroit. Despite a four-game losing streak occurring during Cabrera’s absence, the Tigers still managed five wins without the slugger.

All told, the team turned in a +15 run differential without the arguably the best hitter of the past 20 years.

Detroit’s official Twitter account announced the move to bring Cabrera back from the disabled list in a tweet on Tuesday morning.

The Tigers tweeted:

"“The #Tigers have reinstated 1B @MiguelCabrera from the 10-day DL and optioned C/1B John Hicks to Toledo (AAA).”"

In 16 games (65 at-bats), the veteran is batting .268 with a .369 on-base percentage and a .464 slugging percentage.

He’s also mashed three home runs to go along with nine RBI and seven runs scored.

Despite the relatively-low batting average and on-base percentage, Cabrera still owns a 130 wRC+ and a .196 ISO.

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Additionally, he posted a 0.1 BsR. That number may not seem significant, but it is when you consider the first baseman turned in a -10.0 in the category last season.

Cabrera joins an offense that has played well as of late. Detroit has plated 14 runs in consecutive wins over Chicago and Cleveland.

Overall, the Detroit Tigers rank fifth in wRC+, seventh in both ISO and slugging percentage, as well as eighth in wOBA. The team checks in at 10th in both WAR and on-base percentage.

John Hicks

Miguel Cabrera takes John Hicks’ place on the roster. The catcher and first baseman was in the midst of strong start to 2017 with the Tigers, hitting .423 with a 1.098 OPS in seven games for Detroit.

Hicks also added seven RBI, six runs scored, three RBI, a walk and a home run. His wRC+ currently sits at .213, while the former Mariner registered a .231 ISO.

While Hicks obviously productive, the move made sense as Detroit didn’t have to risk losing an out of options player like Dixon Machado to another organization via waivers.

Now, the team gets to keep the backstop around in Toledo as a depth piece. If another injury occurs, it certainly wouldn’t be a surprise to see Hicks back with the Tigers at some point.

Hicks returns to Toledo, where he was posting similarly strong numbers.

Next: Tigers Prospect Zach Shepherd is Destroying Baseballs in the Minors

In 10 games with the Mud Hens, the 27-year-old is batting .424 with a 1.018 OPS, 12 RBI, four runs scored, a home run, a double, a triple and a stolen base.