Times wires
Saturday, February 19, 2011
LAKELAND — First baseman Miguel Cabrera missed the Tigers' first day of a full-squad practice, and the team doesn't know when he will report.
"Miguel is not going to be here (Saturday) nor will be here for the next couple of days," Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said. "We had conversations (Friday) between the commissioner's office, the players association, myself and Miguel's representative and him, and we've decided that it's best to meet with some doctors in the beginning of the week and completely assess what has taken place."
The first baseman was arrested late Wednesday on suspicion of drunken driving in Fort Pierce, about 110 miles southeast of Lakeland.
Dombrowski said he won't know when Cabrera might return until after the doctors see him.
"I would anticipate, after the doctor visits with him, having some type of feel by at least the middle of this week," he said. "I've talked to him on the phone a couple of times. He's as down as he can be. He feels terrible."
Manager Jim Leyland reiterated that Cabrera is his first baseman and part of the team no matter what.
"We will welcome him back with open arms. We are a family," Leyland said. "We support him and always will. We can take care of it. I love that kid.
"I am not enjoying it right now, but I can't wait for the kid to come in. I love the kid."
Cabrera, 27, hit .328 with 38 home runs last season and finished second in the AL MVP vote to Texas' Josh Hamilton.
YOUNG ARRIVES: Michael Young reported to spring training on time for the Rangers, saying he was ready to play and try to make the best of "a situation that is less than ideal" after the team was unable to fulfill his request for a trade.
Young, the longest-tenured Rangers player going into his 11th season, arrived at camp a day before the first full-squad workout for the AL champions.
"I have nothing to hide. I have nothing to be ashamed of. There's not a thing I would change. So I'm not uncomfortable," Young said. "If I had a horrible relationship with guys in that room or my manager, I would be uncomfortable, but I don't. I love my teammates. I love my manager."
Adrian Beltre was signed this winter, supplanting Young at third base. The Rangers plan for Young to be their primary DH and have him fill in at every infield position.
ASTROS: Outfielder Hunter Pence, 27, won his arbitration case and will make $6.9 million rather than the team's offer of $5.15 million.
ROCKIES: Right-hander Matt Belisle, the team's most consistent reliever last season, signed a deal through 2012 that buys out his first year of free agency. Belisle, 30, posted a 2.93 ERA in 92 innings last season.