MLB Player News

Theories about the early-season struggles of embattled Indians cleanup hitter Carlos Santana have gone from the mental to the physical.

He had admitted that a position change that has him serving as the starting third baseman and backup catcher had affected him at the plate. It has since been revealed that he is dealing with a sore left groin, per the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Santana had his thigh wrapped after the Wednesday game in Detroit, but insisted on playing Thursday, when he experienced yet another 0 for 4. He has just one hit in his last 27 at-bats and just one RBI on the season.

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu was not in the team's starting lineup Thursday against the Red Sox. 

Abreu has just one hit over his last 25 at-bats, and was likely being given a day of rest to get his mind right. Abreu is hitting .217 in 60 at-bats. Paul Konerko will play first base in his absence. 

Twins outfielder Chris Colabello reached base three times Thursday against the Blue Jays.

Colabello struck out in his first at-bat, but turned things around quickly. He walked, then singled in his next two at-bats. In his fourth chance, Colabello struck against Todd Redmond, hitting a two-run double. 

Colabello finished the game 2 for 3, with one run and one RBI.

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu is mired in a 1 for 25 slump, according to ESPN.

Abreu collected one hit April 13, but that has been sandwiched between a four game stretch in which he has gone hitless. Abreu has seen fewer fastballs than most players, which is likely a sign pitchers are trying to get him out with breaking stuff. Most hitters experience a period of adjustment after they reach the majors, and Abreu will attempt to do so in the coming days.

A matchup against tough Braves left-hander Alex Wood has Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard sitting Thursday. Catcher Carlos Ruiz is merely getting the day off after a Wednesday night game.

Howard is just 3 for 17 against southpaws this season. Ruiz has hit safely in five of his last six games, but owns a disappointing average of .233 and slugging percentage of .326 on the year.

Indians infielder Carlos Santana went 0 for 4 as the team's designated hitter in the Indians' 3-2 win over the Tigers Wednesday. He said after the game that a sore groin has been affecting his hitting, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Santana has just one hit in 23 at-bats over his last six games to drop his line to .170/.361/.213. However, he has been able to draw 14 walks despite only eight of his batted balls falling for hits.

Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun will be sidelined four-to-six weeks due to a bad ligament sprain in his ankle, the Orange County Register reports.

Calhoun suffered the injury running the bases Tuesday and was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday. He has hit .222/.276/.426 with two home runs, four RBI and two stolen bases in 54 at-bats.

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt went 2 for 4 with a double and a home run in his team's 5-2 loss to the Mets Wednesday.

It was the eighth double and third home run of the season for Goldschmidt, who is following up his breakout 2013 season with an excellent April. He has hit .338/.392/.577 with three home runs and 10 RBI in 71 at-bats.

The Angels placed outfielder Kole Calhoun on the 15-day disabled list with an ankle injury Wednesday and recalled outfielder Brennan Boesch from Triple-A Salt Lake.

Calhoun twisted the ankle Tuesday trying to beat a ground ball to first base. He's hit .222/.276/.426 with two home runs, four RBI and two stolen bases in 54 at-bats.

Boesch has turned in similar statistics to Calhoun at the Triple-A level this season, hitting .250/.308/.479 with two home runs, nine RBI and one stolen base in 48 at-bats. He had just 51 at-bats with the Yankees last season after seeing regular action with the Tigers over the previous three seasons.

Terry Francona expressed concern Wednesday about a remark made by Carlos Santana in which he claimed that juggling positions has affected him at the plate.

"If that's how he feels, I'm going to have to sit down and talk to him," Francona told WTAM-AM.

Santana plays mostly third base for the Indians, but also serves as the backup catcher. He has historically hit better when he's been the designated hitter.