Miguel Cabrera believes that his efforts to play through injuries with the Detroit Tigers have been unappreciated and he is "done playing hurt."
Cabrera is on the disabled list with a hamstring injury. He was eligible to return on Monday but has experienced soreness in his back and hips.
"I went through that last year, so I don't want to do the same thing," Cabrera said. "Nobody appreciates you when you play hurt, so I'm going to take my time and play when I'm good. I played hurt a lot of years here in Detroit. They don't appreciate that."
Cabrera, 35, managed to play in 130 games last season despite dealing with back issues. He hit a career-low .249 with 16 home runs and 60 RBIs.
"When you are doing bad, they crush you. They crush you," he said. "They say you're bad, you should go home, you don't deserve anything, you're old. I say, 'OK, I'm done playing hurt.' Now I take my time."
Cabrera is in the third year of an eight-year, $248 million contract that is guaranteed through his age-40 season.
Via ESPN
