Miguel Cabrera went to Jim Leyland before Friday night’s 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels and told his manager he was able to play, sore left hamstring and all.
        But Leyland, who was not about to take any chances with his franchise first baseman, kept Cabrera on the bench until the bottom of the ninth when he sent him up to pinch hit with the game on the line.
        Cabrera walked, but it was obvious the tender hamstring was still bothering him and Leyland said after the game that the Tiger slugger may not play Saturday night, either. “Right now, I’d say it’s doubtful,” the manager admitted.
        “We can’t take a chance on losing him for a long period,” Leyland explained.
        Leyland admitted he was very worried about Cabrera when he left the ballpark on Thursday. “We caught a big break,” the manager said. “I was afraid it might be a lot worse.”
        And that is a loss the Tigers simply cannot afford right now. Without Cabrera in the lineup the Tigers are much less formidable.