Miguel Cabrera is the league’s best hitter with a .350 average (Getty).
As the best of the AL and NL take the field in Cincinnati tonight, the field will be absent of some of the league’s best players. For the first time since 2009, the AL will be without one of their top sluggers, Miguel Cabrera. Miggy was named to his 10th All Star team this year, but a calf strain has put him on the DL for the first time in his career. Now the two-time MVP will watch from the dugout as he is replaced in the lineup by Mark Teixeira of the New York Yankees.
How Did Miguel Cabrera Get Injured?
Cabrera shortly after injuring his left calf July 3rd against Toronto (Getty).
Miguel Cabrera was having another outstanding season before going on the DL. In his 13th season, Cabrera is hitting .350, the best average in baseball. Even with his absence, he’s still on pace to eclipse 20 home runs and 100 rbis, a mark he’s reached every season since 2004.
During the Tiger’s first series of July against Toronto, Cabrera was on first base with no outs during the fourth inning. When batter Victor Martinez faced a 3-2 count, Cabrera took off for second with the pitch. Martinez fouled the pitch off, but Cabrera pulled up grabbing at his leg before he reached second. An MRI revealed that Cabrera has a Grade 3 calf strain, which includes some tearing of muscle fibers. Cabrera was placed on the DL for the first time in his career, and he is scheduled to be out until August.
His Replacement: Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees
Mark Teixeira has been a big bat for the first-place Yankees this season (Getty).
Covering first base for the AL tonight was be Yankees slugger Mark Teixeira. At 35, Tex had one of the best first halves of his career. His 22 homers and AL-best 62 RBI match his full season total from last season, when he missed some time but still appeared in 123 games.
Tex is appearing in only his third ASG, his last appearance during his first season with the Yankees in 2009. He will represent his team alongside fellow Yanks Dellin Betances and Brett Gardner.