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Despite the Detroit Tigers' organization and manager Brad Ausmus saying they wouldn't have any problem with Miguel Cabrera taking part in next week's Home Run Derby during the All-Star Game festivities, the two-time reigning AL MVP has declined an invitation.
Cabrera turned down the invite due to concerns over swinging for the fences will affect his swing.
"I don’t feel like I can mess with my swing right now," Cabrera said. "I’ve got enough [going on with it] right now."
After a very slow start to the season, Cabrera crushed the ball in May, hitting .380/.423/.704, slugging eight home runs. But over the last five weeks, Cabrera has hit a very un-Cabrera-like .268/.352/.480 with just four homers, leading to his worry over swing changes.
Cabrera has taken part in the Home Run Derby twice, never advancing past the second round. As a Marlin in 2006, Cabrera hit 15 homers in the first two rounds before being eliminated. Representing the Tigers in 2010, Cabrera totaled 12 home runs before his second round knockout.
Odds are the Tigers won't have any representatives in this year's Home Run Derby. Victor Martinez may be third in the AL with 21 home runs, but he is unlikely to take part. Martinez is nursing a side injury which has caused him to miss five of the last seven games.