While this week's MLB draft was the foremost focus of Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila, on Thursday morning there was another big topic to talk about.
The present and future health of first baseman Miguel Cabrera _ it was revealed earlier in the week he will have to play through a chronic knee condition, likely for the remainder of his career _ remains top of mind for the organization.
Cabrera, 36, will not play first base again this season _ only in emergency or necessity situations, Avila said _ and the Tigers are charting his future as such.
"Long term, our whole thing is for him to be our designated hitter," Avila said.
After missing two games over the weekend, undergoing an MRI scan and sending those results to four specialists to determine the best course of action, Cabrera returned to the lineup on Tuesday night and went 3-for-4 with a grand slam. He went 0-for-4 on Wednesday night. He was not in Thursday afternoon's starting lineup.
With three days of rest, Cabrera's right knee _ which had been bothering him for quite some time this season _ was likely feeling better. But by not opting for surgery, which all four specialists surveyed recommended, the knee issue is forecast to linger.
"Obviously, with any veteran player and injuries, you're going to be concerned," Avila said. "But you can't let that paralyze you. Basically, you gotta move forward _ our trainers and doctors work with him every single day _ to try and keep him on the field.
"It's a chronic thing where he's going to have to live with it, and through treatment, you're going to have to put him on the field. The bad news, obviously, is it's going to get worse as you go along. It's incumbent on him to stay in good shape, it's incumbent on us to make sure we should give him proper treatment and rest.
"It's a combination. If you keep that going, we should be able to keep him productive on the field for the remainder of his contract, so that is our expectation and hope."
Cabrera is hitting .287 with three home runs and 27 RBIs this season. He is owed $30 million this year and at least $162 million total by the time his contract runs out in 2023.
