Major League Baseball

Tejada says he's happy to have Cabrera on Giants

Published Aug. 2, 2011 4:22 a.m. ET

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Miguel Tejada wants to make one thing clear: He is happy to have shortstop Orlando Cabrera as a new teammate, even if it means a lesser role for the 2002 AL MVP once he's healthy.

''I'm not mad, I'm happy,'' Tejada said.

Tejada insisted Monday that he spoke out of frustration a day earlier in Cincinnati over criticism of his defense - and that he meant no offense toward the World Series champions or Cabrera, who was acquired in a trading-deadline deal from Cleveland on Saturday.

''I told him, 'Thank you for being here,''' Tejada said, while noting he also brought his brother Juan's homemade rice and beans to the ballpark for both Cabrera and newly acquired slugger Carlos Beltran. ''Why should I be mad? He can help me get to the postseason. ... I've been on the bench before. I'm totally happy. The team is better with Cabrera here.''

The 37-year-old Tejada is eligible to come off the disabled list Thursday from a lower abdominal strain but manager Bruce Bochy has indicated Tejada won't be ready. The shortstop hopes to be back later in the week but is still having trouble moving when fielding groundballs. Hitting isn't a problem, he said. Tejada did fielding drills for the third time Monday.

Cabrera will be the every day shortstop, while Tejada is likely to fill a utility role. He has started 37 games at both shortstop and third base this year.

''This time in my career, I want to be where I am,'' Tejada said of being surrounded by proven players and veterans. ''I don't want to have to carry the team on my back. ... I will take on any role. I want to help this team. Right now, I'm just trying to get healthy.''

Giants general manager Brian Sabean said during the winter that he long admired Tejada, dating to the shortstop's days as a fan favorite with the A's. Tejada received a $6.5 million, one-year free agent deal in December to join San Francisco.

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