Mar 16, 2007 12:31 AM EST

Gary Sheffield left the Tigers to deal with a legal matter and is expected to return this weekend, his lawyer said.

Rufus Williams of Chicago told The Associated Press in an e-mail Thursday night that his client "is involved in a legal proceeding for a baseball-related matter," which he said was "brought about by a previous agent." Sheffield, acquired by Detroit from the Yankees during the offseason, has not played since Monday.

Tigers president Dave Dombrowski said Thursday that Sheffield "is away for an approved reason." Sheffield's absence was first reported Thursday by the Detroit Free Press.

Via AP