DETROIT — Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera was scratched from today's lineup with a pulled left quadriceps muscle.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said that Cabrera could be available as a pinch-hitter, but wasn't sure when he would be able to play the field again.

"He could hit, but he can't run, so I don't want to use him," Leyland said before the game with Kansas City. "He had some trouble with it over the winter and it was sore during the spring, but I don't know if he hurt it during the rundown yesterday or what."

Cabrera was acquired from Florida in an offseason trade and signed a seven-year, $141 million contract extension during spring training.

Brandon Inge, who had been playing center field in place of Curtis Granderson — who has a broken right hand — moved to third, and rookie Clete Thomas started in center.