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Miguel Cabrera: 'I feel free'

MLB, Detroit Tigers

Two-time reigning American League MVP Miguel Cabrera says he feels much stronger after offseason surgery to repair core muscles damaged by a groin tear.

The Detroit Tigers slugger said Wednesday that he has changed his routine for the 2014 season, adding more exercises to strengthen his core.

"I've gotten a lot stronger," he told reporters, according to MLB.com. "I've tried to make sure everything's going to be good when I start baseball. That's what I do differently."

He underwent surgery in mid-November. 

"Oh my god, I feel free, like I can do anything right now," Cabrera said, according to MLB.com. "I don't worry about anything. I don't worry if it's going to hurt, if it's going to feel good if I do this. I feel free, ready to go."

Cabrera, an eight-time All-Star, also missed several games during the second half of this past season because of a bad back, a sore left hip flexor, a strained lower abdomen and shin trouble.

Despite the injuries, Cabrera led the majors in hitting at .348 and was second to Baltimore's Chris Davis with 44 home runs and 137 RBIs.

Cabrera, who will move back to first base in 2014 after two seasons at third, will attempt to become the first player to win three consecutive AL MVP awards. He already is the first right-handed hitter to win three straight batting titles in either league since Rogers Hornsby won titles from 1920 to 1925.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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