Tigers 3B Cabrera scratched from lineup

Apr 3, 2008 - 4:20 PM DETROIT (Ticker) -- Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera was scratched from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Kansas City Royals due to soreness in his left quadriceps.

Acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Florida Marlins this offseason, Cabrera has been bothered by tightness in his quad since spring training.

Brandon Inge will bat eighth and replace Cabrera at third base. Detroit's Clete Thomas will lead off and play center field, a position Inge played in the first two games this season.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said that Cabrera would be available to pinch hit. However, Leyland admitted that he would prefer to rest Cabrera in the matinee contest against the Royals, who won the first two games of this three-game set.

Cabrera was sidelined nine days after signing an eight-year, $153 million contract with the Tigers, making him the fourth-highest paid player in baseball history.