Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera hopes to play Tuesday when the team opens a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Cabrera left Sunday's game against the Cleveland Indians in the eighth inning with lower back tightness and planned to get treatment on it Monday.
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus previously said he planned to give Cabrera a day off during the series because of the artificial turf at Tropicana Field, though he wouldn't say which game but it would make sense to be the opener. It's also possible the Tigers might give Victor Martinez a day off and use Cabrera as the DH to give him a break from playing first base for a game.
Cabrera had an RBI single in the eighth and advanced to second on another hit Sunday afternoon when he signaled that something was wrong. Head athletic trainer Kevin Rand and Ausmus came out to check on him. Cabrera exited the game, replaced by pinch hitter JaCoby Jones, who went on to score later in the inning. Andrew Romine shifted from centerfield to first with Cabrera out of the game, and Jones took over in center.
The Tigers went on to beat the Indians, 4-1.
Cabrera said his back stiffened up Saturday night and again Sunday. He has had back issues in the past, including last month while playing for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.
Ausmus said he wouldn't blame the WBC for the back issues. He said it's "just a part of getting older."
Cabrera, 33, is batting .220 with two home runs and six RBIs in 12 games.
