Jorge L. Ortiz

USA TODAY Sports

MINNEAPOLIS – Miguel Cabrera is having another MVP-worthy season, leading the majors with 75 RBI at the All-Star break, but his power numbers are down in comparison with recent years.

The groin tear that dogged him last September may be to blame.

The Detroit Tigers slugger said Monday he's not fully recovered from the injury, which required sports hernia surgery in late October, and it bothers him at times. He added that teammate Justin Verlander, the staff ace who's enduring a rocky season and had the same procedure in January, has been slowed down by the recovery as well.

"There are times when I feel good, but there are always muscles that are tightening, muscles that are not functioning properly,'' Cabrera said in Spanish. "It's part of the process. The same thing is happening to Justin Verlander, but the difference is he pitches every five days, so you don't see it as frequently.

"But as he and I talked about, we're never going to offer any excuses for our performance. We always want to be out on the field and compete, and I think that's the most important thing we can do, compete and try to get past this tough time. And the main thing is we're in first place.''

The Tigers went into the break with a 6½-game lead in the American League Central, and Cabrera is again spearheading their offense, which ranks third in the league in runs scored. But after hitting 44 home runs each of the last two seasons while winning back-to-back MVP awards, Cabrera has only 14.

His 34 doubles lead the AL and his .306 batting average ranks in the top 10, strong evidence that Cabrera's hitting ability remains intact. The effects of the injury linger, though, even if they're not as impactful as in September, when a visibly hobbled Cabrera has one homer and seven RBI.

Cabrera's current slugging percentage of .534 would be his lowest since his first full season in 2004.

"I think it has affected me quite a bit, like last year, when in the last month I wasn't using my bottom half, my feet and the waist area,'' Cabrera said. "I hope I can slowly regain that. The good thing is I haven't gotten too anxious. I just try to find ways to help my team win.''