Detroit Tigers designated hitter Miguel Cabrera is in the twilight of a distinguished career that may come to a sudden end after this season.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Cabrera indicated that he was unsure about whether he would play after 2022 due to health reasons.
“I don’t feel well right now,” Cabrera said. “I’m trying to do whatever I can to go out there and play, but I don’t feel really good right now.”
Miguel Cabrera: “I don’t feel well right now. I’m trying to do whatever I can to go out there and play, but I don’t feel really good right now.”
Cabrera will talk with his agent, general manager Al Avila and “everybody” before making a decision about his status for 2023. #Tigers
— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) August 4, 2022
The 39-year-old slugger has been worn down by knee injuries as he has gotten older, forcing him to miss some time in 2022. Cabrera has played two decades in MLB, which is bound to cause some wear-and-tear on even the most conditioned players. Still, Cabrera had managed to play in 90 of Detroit’s 106 games entering Thursday.
If this season is in fact Cabrera’s last, he will likely go down as one of the most prolific hitters that baseball has ever seen. His 3,074 hits are the 25th-most in MLB history. He also ranks 27th on the all-time home runs list with 506 long balls, and has four batting titles and a Triple Crown on his resume.
Aside from collecting his 3,000th hit in April, Cabrera has struggled for most of this season. Entering Thursday, the two-time MVP was hitting .271 with just four homers, 36 RBI and 87 hits. Though Cabrera’s .271 average is respectable, he is lacking in the power department and his .657 OPS is by far the lowest of his career.
Cabrera is under contract for $32 million next season, and would forfeit that money if he decides to retire after this year. Regardless of what Cabrera’s future entails, he is almost certainly going to wind up in the baseball Hall of Fame one day.
