DETROIT -- First baseman Miguel Cabrera returns to the Tigers lineup on Wednesday as Detroit faces the Kansas City Royals in the series finale at Comerica Park.
Cabrera missed Tuesday's 6-1 loss to the reigning World Series champs with a left biceps strain suffered in Monday's series opener. Cabrera was removed in the fifth inning of that 3-1 loss, the result of a strain that occurred as he was attempting to corral an errant throw to first base from pitcher Daniel Norris.
The 33-year-old Cabrera (.311), who enters Wednesday's game with 999 total RBIs since joining the Tigers, will play first base and bat in his usual position, the 3-hole.
Recent trade acquisition Erick Aybar will also be in the lineup, playing shortstop and batting second. Aybar joined his new team Wednesday after being traded from the Atlanta Braves just before Tuesday's game. The Tigers intend to use the 32-year-old former All-Star as a utility infielder.
Scuffling left fielder Justin Upton will sit out the game as he tries to regroup from a frustrating stretch that has seen him record just one hit over the past seven games.
"His bat's not slow; he's just out of sync mechanically," manager Brad Ausmus said when asked what is hampering the 28-year-old at the plate. "His timing's off."
Ausmus was asked whether he would think about giving Upton an entire series off. His response?
"I have considered it," Ausmus said.
The Tigers, who enter Wednesday's game 3.5 games back from the second wild-card spot, have dropped the first two games of the series against Kansas City. They'll aim to avoid a sweep before hosting the Boston Red Sox for a four-game set through the weekend.