Tigers’ Cameron Maybin will receive MRI on thumb

While X-rays were negative, the Tigers will get a peek inside Cameron Maybin’s thumb with an MRI on Tuesday.

During a head-first steal attempt against the White Sox on Monday, the Tigers outfielder had his left thumb crushed under the knee of Chicago second baseman Carlos Sanchez. This was, of course, the same thumb that had put Maybin on the 15-day DL until August 21 with a strain. The 29-year-old had chosen to simply start “playing through the pain,” according to the Detroit Free Press.

But the full weight of a 195-pound infielder created a bit too much pain for Maybin, who left Monday’s game in the fifth inning. X-rays came back negative, but the Tigers are not finished measuring the damage to Maybin’s digit.

Listed as day-to-day, Maybin has been a top contributor for Detroit this season as they battle the first place Indians (behind whom they are 4.5 games) and surging Royals (above whom they are 1 game) in the AL Central. Detroit has been battered with key losses via injury this season, to the point that it may wind up costing them the post season. The DFP was not impressed by the Tigers’ acquisition of Erick Aybar to try and stop the bleeding:

“The wheels are coming off the sputtering car and the best replacement the Detroit Tigers could find Tuesday was another used tire.”

In 70 games this season, Maybin is hitting .326 with an .816 OPS. Despite his limited playing time, he leads the team in SB with 14. By comparison, Ian Kinsler, who is second on the roster with 13, has played in 127 games.