Miggy back at third base for opener in LA

LOS ANGELES -- A West Coast trip puts Miguel Cabrera on the opposite coast from his Miami home. Tuesday's series opener, however, was a homecoming for Cabrera. He was back at third base, his old spot from the previous two seasons, and the spot he has considered his natural position for years.

He spent the past two years trying to prove he could still handle the hot corner before the Prince Fielder trade opened first base back up. He's not trying to prove anything like that this week.

"We'll see," he said before the game.

The return to third base was manager Brad Ausmus' leadoff effort to fit Victor Martinez into his lineup during Interleague Play without the designated hitter available.

Cabrera was an early arrival Tuesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium, where he took ground balls at third during early infield practice. With unseasonably hot, dry weather in Los Angeles, the expectation was for a fast infield, faster than what he might face in Detroit.

Ausmus did not commit to a plan for Wednesday's game, saying he wanted to wait until he knew the opposing starter. Ausmus said over the weekend that he planned on using Martinez at catcher for one of the games this series.