CHICAGO -- A relieved Miguel Cabrera said he was feeling better after sitting out the Detroit Tigers' 6-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night because of an injured left hip.
He also said he did not go for an MRI and was not sure when he would return to the lineup. Manager Jim Leyland said that could happen within the next two days against Chicago, and he doesn't expect Cabrera to wind up on the disabled list.
"I doubt very much he'll play (Wednesday)," Leyland said. "I can assure you, he's not going to play both these games the next two days. ... Will he play one? I can't answer that. But if he played (Wednesday) night, he certainly wouldn't play the day game. I don't know if he'll player either of the two, to be honest with you."
The American League MVP and Triple Crown winner, Cabrera left Monday's 7-3 win over Chicago in the fifth inning. He was replaced at third base by Don Kelly with one out in the bottom half of the inning -- after scoring in the top half -- and walked off holding his left side.
The Tigers said then that he had a sore hip flexor muscle and would be evaluated on Tuesday.
Kelly was at third base and batting eighth on Tuesday night. Left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo had the No. 3 spot in the lineup.
Cabrera, who became baseball's first Triple Crown winner in 45 years last season, had played in 97 of Detroit's 98 games this year. He was leading the majors with a .358 batting average and was second in RBIs with 96.
In other injury-related news, Leyland said second baseman Omar Infante, on the disabled list with a sprained left ankle, could soon begin a rehab assignment. Assuming no setbacks from Tuesday's workout, Leyland said Infante would leave for Class A West Michigan on Wednesday and could rejoin the Tigers this weekend.
"That's the scenario we're hoping for," Leyland said.
He also said left-hander Darin Downs, out with tendinitis in his pitching shoulder, is "probably close to going out and pitching. But I can't tell you when."
