MLB Player News

Santana is out of the lineup Wednesday in Washington.

The Indians need to choose between Santana and Mike Napoli at first base when they are playing in a National League park, and while Santana got the nod Tuesday, Napoli will start the final game of the two-game series in the Nation's Capital. Wednesday marks the Indians' final road game in a National League ballpark this season, so Santana's owners won't have to worry about this annoyance going forward.

Calhoun hit a solo home run in a 2-for-4 game Tuesday against the Cubs

With the blast, Calhoun broke a 35-game homerless stretch that spanned the entire month of July. He at least managed a sharp 19:21 BB:K and a .327 OBP over that stretch, but with no power to speak of, he saw his OPS drop from .824 to .762. Calhoun hit 26 home runs last season in 159 games. With 11 homers in 110 games this year, he has little chance of reaching that mark again.

Cron (hand) is expected to progress to taking live batting practice soon, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

Doctors cleared Cron to begin hitting last week, less than a month after he suffered a broken left hand a result of a hit-by-pitch. Given his progress, it seems Cron has a real chance to beat the front end of his original 6-to-8 week estimated return timetable, although he will likely need a few games in the minors to shake the rust before ultimately being activated.

Abreu went 3-for-4 with a double and a solo solo, his 14th home run of the season, in Sunday's 10-2 loss to the Orioles.

The White Sox only managed four hits on the day, so it's no wonder no one was on base for Abreu's homer. His power numbers on the season are still disappointing but the 29-year-old is now hitting .391 (9-for-23) to begin the month of August with three home runs in six games. There's still time for him to salvage his campaign with a big kick to the finish line.

Abreu went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and two runs scored in a loss to the Orioles on Friday.

Abreu went 32 games without a home run before hitting one Thursday, but it took just over 24 hours for him to hit his next one. He has been making good contact lately, so there may be a few more balls flying over the fences over the season's final months.

Abreu went 1-for-4 with a walk and a two-run homer in Thursday's win over the Tigers.

Finally, Abreu snapped his nightmarish homerless drought dating back to June 24 -- a span of 32 games without a home run. He's been one of the more disappointing players in fantasy this year, but Abreu has been making more consistent contact (only four strikeouts in his last 13 games) and his second-half success over the past two years provides some reason for optimism over the final two months of 2016.

Cron (hand) can begin hitting again, and will work out in Arizona on Thursday, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

Cron broke his hand July 8 after getting hit with a pitch, and seems to be progressing nicely on the 6-to-8 week timetable that he was given. He has been cleared to hit almost four weeks after undergoing surgery to repair the fracture. It still appears as though he won't be back until late August, but this may bump up his return date if he continues to show signs of improvement over the next couple weeks.

Santana went 3-for-4 with a walk and his 23rd home run of the season Tuesday versus the Twins.

Santana skidded his way out of July, going 4-for-37 (.108) in his last 11 games of the month. He's turned that around through the first two games of August, going 4-for-8 with a homer, two RBI and two runs. Santana also has history on his side moving forward, as his numbers in recent years have traditionally been better post All-Star break.

Abreu is out of the lineup Sunday against the Twins, Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Manager Robin Ventura confirmed after the lineup was released that it's a pre-scheduled day off for Abreu, who could certainly use a break. He's endured a power outage throughout July, producing no homers and just eight RBI and six runs over 106 plate appearances during the month. Todd Frazier will spell Abreu at first base.

Calhoun is not in the lineup for Saturday's tilt with Boston, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

He'll be replaced in the lineup by Shane Robinson, who's starting in right field and batting ninth. Calhoun's production has dipped slightly since the start of the second half, as he's gone just 10-for-47 (.213) in his last 14 games. He does have eight runs and seven RBI during that span, however.