MLB Player News

Santana will bat fifth in the order and man first base in Sunday's game against the Twins, Zack Meisel of Cleveland.com reports.

The lefty-hitting Jason Kipnis (.346 average in 26 at-bats) has enjoyed some success against Twins southpaw Hector Santiago, so perhaps in recognition of that, manager Terry Francona will move Kipnis up to the leadoff spot while Santana drops in the order. Santana has been stuck in a 1-for-13 slump over the last four games, but it's unlikely that Francona will completely pull the plug on him as the Tribe's table setter.

Joseph went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run during Saturday's loss to Washington.

The first baseman has heated up over the past 10 games with seven runs, five doubles, three home runs, eight RBI and a .419/.526/.871 slash line. Joseph hit 21 homers over just 347 plate appearances last season, and his current .449 slugging percentage likely has positive regression ahead. Additionally, the Philadelphia lineup isn't a pushover, so Joseph's counting stats could continue to pile up in a hurry.

Cabrera aggravated his left thumb injury during Saturday's contest against the Brewers and will have Sunday off to rest it, James Wagner of The New York Times reports.

The shortstop was replaced by Jose Reyes late in the contest. Cabrera made some pinch-hit appearances earlier in the week before starting Friday and Saturday, but this setback may cost him at least another start in the coming days. If Cabrera must miss time, Reyes probably would fill in close to regularly at shortstop, with T.J. Rivera manning third base at least in a majority role.

Calhoun was moved down to fifth in the batting order Friday, going 2-for-3 with a stolen base and a run in a win over the Tigers.

Manager Mike Scioscia wanted to shake up his lineup in order to spark a slumping offense, and it worked Friday. Moving out of a favorable spot in front of Mike Trout will result in tougher at-bats for Calhoun, but it could also lead to increased RBI opportunities. A change in the lineup could also help spark the veteran's slumping bat. He is slashing just .236/.308/.354 through 37 games.

Bell went 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run homer in Friday's 11-4 loss to the Diamondbacks.

The homer was his sixth of the season and snapped an 0-for-14 skid for the young first baseman. Bell's .236/.323/.445 slash line isn't terribly impressive, but he's supplying more power than expected and his .256 BABIP should rise as the weather warms up.

Bour went 3-for-4 with a solo homer Friday against the Braves.

Bour smacked his sixth bomb of the year off Mike Foltynewicz to get the Marlins on the board in a game they'd go on to lose. Although his batting average is a bit lower than his career numbers, Bour's providing the pop that fantasy owners expected when selecting him on draft day.

Cabrera (thumb) is back in the lineup for Friday's game against the Brewers.

While Cabrera has made a few pinch-hit appearances in recent days, Friday's start marks his first in nearly a week. The 31-year-old jammed his thumb early during the team's last homestand but an MRI showed no structural damage. He's off to a 6-for-17 start to May.

Naylor (face) was activated from the minor-league disabled list Friday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Naylor was sidelined since the end of April with some facial fractures incurred from an errant pickoff throw, but it seems like the Padres are confident that he's back to 100 percent. He'll resume his normal role in High-A Lake Elsinore's lineup moving forward as he looks to build off the strong .306 batting average he posted prior to the injury.

Gurriel is not in the starting lineup against the Yankees on Friday.

Gurriel is just 3-for-23 over the past week, so manager A.J. Hinch will give him a day to get his mind right. Utility player Marwin Gonzalez will man first base in his absence.

Carter is not in the Yankees' starting lineup Friday against the Astros.

Jacoby Ellsbury gets the start at DH and Aaron Hicks slots into center field, relegating Carter to the bench. The power-hitting righty is just 4-for-20 over his last eight games and has not hit a home run since April 21 after blasting 41 of them last season.