DETROIT -- Like a lot of people Brian Cashman admits the middle of the Yankees' lineup misses Alex Rodriguez. However, the GM believes his club's recent slide has more to it than the third baseman being on the DL.

"Obviously he is a big bat,'' Cashman said of Rodriguez,who has been on the DL since suffering a fractured left hand on July 24. "But we are playing poor baseball.''

After falling short with a ninth-inning comeback Tuesday night in a 6-5 loss to the sizzling Tigers, the Yankees enter tonight's game with CC Sabathia on the mound having lost 12 of 18. In addition their AL East lead, which was 10 lengths on July 18, was down to 4 ½ games over the Orioles.

The Yankees are 4-7 without Rodriguez, who was in an 11-game hot streak when drilled by Seattle's Felix Hernandez. However, they were 1-5 in the last six games Rodriguez started.

Eric Chavez mentioned Rodriguez' absence following Tuesday night's loss.

"Injuries are starting to catch up. We go away with it early. Alex is a huge part of the lineup. This shows how big a part of our team he is,'' Chavez said.

Rodriguez is expected back next month but the date isn't for sure. If it's an eight-week injury his return could be the middle of September.

"Do we miss Alex and Andy Pettitte? Yes,'' Cashman said. "At the same time we are capable of fighting through it. I think it has to do with poor baseball. We have guys in slumps and not doing well.''

Asked if Curtis Granderson was one of the slumping bats, Cashman said, "It's not just Granderson, it's a number of guys. We have hit a funk as a team and that's not unexpected. You just have to grind through it.''

Since being moved to the leadoff spot five games ago, Granderson is 2-for-20 and has four more strikeouts than hits. Tuesday night he ended the game with a pop up with the potential tying run on third and the potential go-ahead runner on second.