LAKELAND, Fla. -- There's been a change in plans for Miguel Cabrera and it's a good sign.
Originally, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said if everything went well, Cabrera would start his first game at first base on Thursday.
Instead, Cabrera is playing first today against the Miami Marlins (1 p.m. first pitch on FOX Sports Detroit).
"Last night after the game he had said something to (head athletic trainer) Kevin Rand that he felt really good and he felt like he could play first base," Ausmus said. "Kevin mentioned it to me so we told him that if he feels OK in the morning, we'll let him play four innings at first. He said he feels good so I'm going to give him four innings at first."
Victor Martinez, who was originally going to be the designated hitter against the Marlins, will remain so and will do sliding drills before the game on a sliding pad.
Ausmus said he was not sure what Cabrera would do Thursday, saying it depended on how things went and how Cabrera felt.
"It's a good sign but like we mentioned all along, with those guys we gotta protect them from themselves," Ausmus said.
PRELIMINARY TALKS WITH PRICE UNDERWAY?
According to multiple reports, Bo McKinnis, David Price's agent, is in Lakeland.
Price told a few reporters Wednesday morning that McKinnis and the Tigers have spoken but that it's still too early to even characterize it as negotiation.
It was about the same time last year that the Tigers made Max Scherzer an offer that he turned down.
Like Scherzer last year, Price is entering the final year of his contract.
While it does not seem that the Tigers have made an offer yet, things could change quickly if both sides are motivated to get a deal done.
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COMPLETE TIGERS SPRING TRAINING 2015 COVERAGE
