Cabrera mulls retiring this season
Miguel Cabrera says he may end his likely Hall of Fame career at the end of this season.
The 39-year-old Detroit Tigers star mused on the subject Thursday amid a slump through the dog days of summer. Cabrera joined the 3,000-hit/500-homer club earlier in the season, and was hitting .308 as recently as July 8.
Plagued by lower-body problems that have been a constant issue in recent seasons, he is hitting .132 with three extra-base hits in his last 20 games.
“You’ve got to understand your body, I understand mine and my place on this team,” he said. “I’ve got to talk to my agent, the GM, I’ve got to talk to everybody to see the plan for next year.
“Right now, we don’t know. We’re focused on today.”
Cabrera is owed $32 million in 2023 in the final season of a $292million, 10-year contract.
The Tigers came into the season as fringe contenders after a strong finish in 2021, but they have staggered to a 42-64 record with the worst offense in baseball.
“I’m going to go out there and do my best every day — that’s the bottom line,” he said. “But there’s an opportunity for young guys here to get more at-bats and see what we’ve got for next year.”
Cardinals and Cubs to play series in London
Major League Baseball announced that the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs will play a two-game series on June 24-25, 2023, at London Stadium.
The National League Central rivals were supposed to play in London in 2020, but the games were canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
MLB last played in London in 2019, when the New York Yankees swept a two-game set against the Boston Red Sox in June at London Stadium.
Those were also MLB’s first regular-season games played in Europe.
Etc.
The Red Sox released Jackie Bradley Jr., ending the outfielder’s second stint with the team. Bradley, who helped Boston win the World Series in 2018, is batting .210 with three homers and 29 RBIs. ... The Philadelphia Phillies released veteran shortstop Didi Gregorius as part of a flurry of moves that included activating infielder
Jean Segura from the 60-day injured list and right-hander Kyle Gibson from the bereavement list. Gregorius is batting .210 with a homer and 19 RBIs. He agreed to a $14-million, one-year contract with Philadelphia in December 2019, then hit .284 with 10 homers and 40 RBIs in his first season . ... Outfielder and second baseman Whit Merrifield said he is vaccinated for COVID-19 and will be cleared to play for Toronto when the Blue Jays return to Canada . ... Catcher
James McCann was activated off the IL for the New York Mets.