Tigers won't rule Cabrera out for weekend series

KANSAS CITY – Miguel Cabrera said he’s feeling good and would play today if the Detroit Tigers cleared him.

When Cabrera actually returns is to be determined, but manager Brad Ausmus says it's "conceivable" Cabrera could return for this weekend's series against the Houston Astros.

“Gotta make a decision,” Cabrera said. “I’m feeling good.”

Cabrera said he’s not going to go out and do anything crazy, and knows it will take time before he’s 100%. He’s been on the disabled list since July 4 with a Grade 3 left calf strain.

Ausmus said Cabrera didn’t look like he was favoring or limping at all when he ran the bases today and said he’s “encouraged” by what he saw.

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“Miggy wants to play,” Ausmus said. “I think he’s proven that over the last two years, the way he wound down the 2013, 2014 seasons with injuries and playing through it.

“We gotta see how he feels tomorrow, see if he recovers. If he’s fine tomorrow, he might do a little more running tomorrow. Then we’ll have to make a decision if everything’s looking good at that point. I think it’s sooner rather than later.”

It doesn’t sound like Cabrera will leave for a rehab assignment with one of the Tigers' minor league affiliates.

“If I’m going to get hurt, Toledo, here, it doesn’t matter,” Cabrera said.

Cabrera stood in for live batting practice against lefty Tom Gorzelanny today at Kauffman Stadium. He said he’s been able to move around, taking ground balls and running from first to third base.

“Charging ground balls, I’m good,” Cabrera said, adding he can also move side to side. Wanting to play and being ready to play are different, however.

“The speed of the game, everything go fast,” Cabrera said. “You don’t have time to think about it.”

Contact George Sipple: gsipple@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @georgesipple.