Miguel Cabrera will open his 19th season at first base, Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch announced Tuesday.
The 37-year-old dealt with a chronic right knee injury in 2020 and served as Detroit's full-time designated hitter. Cabrera has not played a regular-season contest at first base since June 18, 2019.
“I think he gives us the best chance to win at first base,” Hinch said.
The Tigers open the season at home Thursday against the Cleveland Indians.
An 11-time All-Star, four-time batting champion and two-time MVP, Cabrera needs 134 hits to reach 3,000 and 13 homers to reach 500.
“Miggy is a good first baseman,” Hinch said this spring. “I think people have gotten more comfortable with him not having the glove on his hand. ... He’s a baseball player. Obviously we want to keep him healthy, but we love it when he plays baseball.”
First Published March 30, 2021, 8:00 p.m.
