HOUSTON — It took all of one game for Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera to regain his devastating swing at the plate and confirm the decision made by the organization to not send Cabrera out on a rehab assignment following his return from the 15-day disabled list on Friday.
Cabrera recorded his second consecutive multi-hit game of the series on Sunday, finishing 2-for-3 with a double, a two-run home run and two walks. The homer was his 16th on the season and his first since June 17, roughly two weeks before he was lost for 35 games to a left calf strain.
“He looks good, yeah,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said of Cabrera. “I think his timing’s still off every now and then but he certainly took some good swings the last two days.”
Cabrera owns a robust .352/.461/.585 slash line this season. His three RBIs in the finale allowed him to surpass Andres Galarraga for the career lead among Venezuelan-born players with 1,426 RBIs. Even while making an effort to return to baseball shape, Cabrera sets milestones.
“What can I say? Coming from another country and try to get better every year, better every day,” Cabrera said. “Trying to go out there and be consistent is always my goal. Passing Galarraga I feel very proud. Galarraga is one of the toughest players to come from Venezuela. He’s big time in Venezuela.”