Efren

Navarro

Navarro batted .317/.368/.488 over 547 plate appearances in the minors this season before earning a promotion to the big leagues in September. Even with those numbers, at the age of 25 it’s hard to call him a prospect.

Navarro hit .326/.404/.454 with seven homers and 81 RBI for Salt Lake this season. His playing time over the final weeks figures to be limited.

Navarro, 30, has hit .246/.324/.362 with five homers at the Triple-A level this season. He’s replacing Carlos Peguero, whose contract the Cards recently sold to a team in Japan.

The 30-year-old split his 2016 season between Triple-A Tacoma (Mariners) and Triple-A Memphis (Cardinals) where he slashed .275/.337/.368 with seven homers and 48 RBI in 465 at-bats. With a strong showing in spring training he could compete for a bench spot on the club’s Opening Day roster.

Cabrera departed Saturday’s game with lower back tightness, an ailment that’s bothered him off and on throughout the season. Manager Brad Ausmus has no intention of shutting Miggy down, however. “He’s about to get four months off,” Ausmus said. “He needs four months and two weeks? Come on. Baseball players are paid to play baseball. If they are physically able to play, they play.” Efren Navarro is at first base Sunday.

It’s his first start since he was pulled from Monday’s game with back issues. Cabrera is in the designated hitter spot Friday and could be used their often down the stretch as the Tigers attempt to keep him healthy. Efren Navarro is at first base.

Navarro, 31, hit .276/.370/.395 with 10 homers for Toledo this season. He’ll give the Tigers another option at first base with Miguel Cabrera (back) banged up.

The Angels will call up a pitcher to replace him Friday. Navarro was hitting .260/.306/.312 in 77 at-bats.

Angels writer Mike DiGiovanna suggested before the game that Navarro is due a look as the team’s left fielder. We’d tend to agree, though it might not happen all at once. After all, the start tonight was his first since May 30.

Navarro is still trying to convince Mike Scioscia to play him regularly against righties. He’s hitting .293 in 58 at-bats, albeit with just three extra-base hits (all doubles) and five RBI. He’d still seem to be a better option than the alternatives.