MLB Player News

Astros outfielder/first baseman Chris Carter had a monster performance in a 4-1 win over the Rays Wednesday. Carter homered twice in the game. 

Carter went deep off starter Roberto Hernandez in the second inning. He added his 17th HR of the season in the seventh for a three-run blast off Jake McGee to give Houston the final score of 4-1. 

He finished 2 for 4 with all four RBI for the Astros. The two homers were Carter's second multi-HR game of the season. He also did it back on April 9 at Seattle. 

Indians catcher Carlos Santana is not in the lineup for Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader against the White Sox. 

Yan Gomes will play catcher and Nick Swisher will be the DH. Santana has started five of the last six games and probably wouldn't have been able to play both games of the doubleheader.

Santana is hitting .269/.380/.462 in 253 at-bats. 

Indians catcher Carlos Santana got some rest Wednesday as he was not in the starting lineup against the Orioles in Baltimore, MLB.com reports. Santana is dealing with a sore right knee, according to manager Terry Francona. 

That said, Francona insisted that Santana was sitting due to Cleveland playing four games this weekend against the White Sox, and not due to the injury. 

Santana, batting .273 on the year with 10 homers and 32 RBI, has gone just 3 for 21 (.143) over his last six games. 

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (quadriceps) was activated off the 15-day disabled list and returned to the starting lineup Wednesday against the Orioles, manager Terry Francona confirmed during an interview with MLB Network Radio.

Cabrera played in his first game Wednesday since June 3 against the Yankees.

"Asdrubal Cabrera is in the lineup tonight," Francona said. "I can't believe how fast he came back from this injury."

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (quadriceps) said he feels 100 percent and hopes to be activated off the disabled list for either Wednesday's or Thursday's game against the Orioles, according to MLB.com. Cabrera last appeared in a game June 3.

Cleveland shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who has a right quad injury, is doing extremely well at the moment, MLB.com reports. Manager Terry Francona believes he'll be activated soon. 

Cabrera has been taking grounders and may not need an injury rehab assignment. The Indians have not yet decided if he'll go on one or not. 

Astros first baseman Chris Carter pounded out four hits Sunday against the Cubs, which included a career-high three doubles. He added two runs and two RBI.

"It was good to see him drive the ball the other way," Astros manager Bo Porter said. "He's been doing that this last week or so and it's coming together."

Carter is batting .342 (13 for 38) with two home runs, seven doubles, seven RBI and eight runs in his last 10 games.

Astros slugger Chris Carter went deep for the 15th time this season Friday in Chicago. Carter added a double.

He went 2 for 4 as the HR was a solo blast in the seventh inning off starter Matt Garza. He has 38 RBI.

Carter has gone 6 for 18 (.333) over his last five games with a homer and two RBI. He's also struck out eight times over that stretch.

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera was taking grounders prior to Friday's game, another sign that he is making progress and could be back by the end of June.

"Asdrubal is doing terrific," Indians manager Terry Francona told MLB.com. "He's going to do all baseball activities, and he's going to go with us to Baltimore. The anticipation is actually, when we get through that Baltimore series, he might be pretty darned close to being cleared to play."

Cabrera's first choice is not to go on a minor-league rehab assignment, in which case he could be back by the start of a series in Chicago June 28. However, Leyland told reporters that Cabrera is willing to go down to the minors if that is what the team wants.

"He's great about it," Francona said. "He said, 'I'll do whatever you want. I really don't want to do [a Minor League rehab assignment], but I'll do it if you want me to.' We'll kind of see where we're at and see what's in his best interest."

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera took grounders and hit Friday.

Cabrera has been out since June 3 with a strained quad. He's planning on traveling to Baltimore with the team, and could return following their series with the Orioles. Cabrera was hitting .254/.311/.434 prior to the injury.