Detroit Tigers team trainer Kevin Rand indicated Monday that first baseman Miguel Cabrera, who underwent ankle surgery in October, likely won't be ready when spring training opens next month.

Cabrera will be in a walking boot until he undergoes a follow-up consultation with an orthopedic surgeon in mid-February, but even an encouraging assessment probably wouldn't allow him to be ready for the start of spring training.

Rand, however, would not speculate about Cabrera's status for Opening Day, as nearly three months remain before the Tigers host the Minnesota Twins to open the regular season April 6.

Cabrera, who turns 32 in April, hit .313/.371/.524 (146 OPS+) with 25 home runs and 52 doubles last season, but also posted his lowest isolated power (.211) since his rookie season while striking out in 17.1 percent of his plate appearances - his most since 2008.