Cabrera lays down bunts during spring workouts

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Tigers fans have anticipated what sort of fundamental changes Brad Ausmus might bring as a manager. Miguel Cabrera bunting probably wasn't on the list.

It's almost surely not going to happen in a game, but it happened Wednesday afternoon.

The Tigers spent part of Wednesday's workout going through fundamental hitting stations on the back fields at Tigertown. That included rounds of bunting for every hitter on the team.

Yes, that included Cabrera, owner of one sacrifice bunt in the last 10 years and one bunt single in his 11-year career -- both with the Marlins.

"Yeah, Miggy bunted," Ausmus said. "Don't know that you'll ever see Miggy bunt in a game, but yeah. We had everyone bunt today, expose them to that. I did not pay attention to whether Miggy could bunt or not, although my guess is with his hands, he probably bunts pretty well."

His guess was right. Cabrera laid down several slow rollers towards the line, outbunting Alex Avila and Andy Dirks in his group.

That won't earn him any bunt signs from Ausmus anytime soon.

"If he bunts during the season, I'll just get in my car and drive back to San Diego," Ausmus said. "If he bunts during the season, he did it on his own."