MLB Player News

Canha, who went 1-for-3 with an RBI single in Thursday's 7-3 Cactus League win over the Angels, is a leading candidate to claim the final bench spot on the Opening Day roster, Chris Gabel of MLB.com reports. "The more at-bats he gets the better he looks," manager Bob Melvin said before the game. "And the last three games he's swung the bat really well. When he's healthy, he can be a productive guy."

Canha appears to be pulling ahead in the competition between he, Jake Smolinski and Boog Powell for a roster spot after seeing action in his fourth game over a five-day span Thursday. The 29-year-old had gone 4-for-7 with a double and a home run in the three exhibitions prior to Thursday's as well, seemingly giving him a leg up in the three-man battle. The most productive of Canha's three major-league stints thus far was his initial one, when he slashed .254/.315/.426 with 16 homers and 70 RBI across 485 plate appearances in 2015. He generated a much more lackluster .208/.262/.382 line in 187 plate appearances last season, making his spring results all the more encouraging.

Jimenez (knee) hopes to play in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks after competing in drills Friday.

Jimenez is set to be a full participant in all activities yet again Saturday, which would mark three consecutive days that he has been able to go through all of his drills. The outfielder is working his way back from tendinitis in the left knee, but should be fully operational by early next week, giving him a couple weeks to return to full speed before the regular season commences.

Brantley (ankle) was sent home due to illness Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Brantley took another step forward in his return from ankle surgery in recent days, as he advanced to agility drills and hitting against live pitching for the first time since undergoing a procedure in mid-October. There seems to be some sort of bug going around the Indians' clubhouse as Danny Salazar was also sent home, but they should both be fully recovered from this ailment within the next couple days.

Jimenez (knee) was a full participant in all activities Thursday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

With a seemingly clean bill of health, the top prospect hopes to return to game action Saturday. Manager Rick Renteria still considers his return date TBD, but it seems like Jimenez is coming around well nonetheless. He should be 100 percent for the start of the regular season barring any setbacks.

Jimenez (knee) took batting practice and ran the bases Wednesday, Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Jimenez has been sidelined since Feb. 26 with a bout of knee tendinitis. He's hoping to get on the field this week, but the White Sox aren't about to rush their top prospect.

Cabrera is 6-for-19 (.316) with five RBI through nine Grapefruit League games.

Cabrera has just one double and no home runs this spring, but the Tigers still have to be happy to see hits falling for the veteran. The 34-year-old batted a career-worst .249 in 2017, which snapped an eight-year streak of hitting at least .300. Cabrera's best years are behind him, but he could still be a decent rebound candidate in 2018 who figures to come at a much lower price tag in fantasy drafts than he did during his prime.

Ford, a Rule 5 pick, could act as the starting first baseman if Ryon Healy (hand) isn't ready by Opening Day, Matt Calkins of The Seattle Times reports.

At this point, Healy is expected to be ready around Opening Day, but Ford certainly offers plenty of intrigue if he can land a few starts. The 25-year-old slugger has just three hits in 19 spring at-bats, but two of them have gone for extra-bases. He does have five strikeouts, but the four walks he's drawn are also encouraging. Dan Vogelbach is also in the mix for the spot. A quick return by Healy could make this a moot point.

Brantley (ankle) will hit against live pitching during Wednesday's workout, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Brantley has continued to ramp up his activity in recent days, advancing to agility drills Tuesday after beginning to start defensive work last weekend. With Opening Day just a little more than three weeks away, we might begin to see some sort of target date come into focus, but manager Terry Francona has been fairly quiet on when he expects Brantley back in game action.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said that Miller (toe) will likely be held out of Grapefruit League games until next Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Miller was recently able to partake in a simulated game as a designated hitter after being sidelined since late February with a broken right pinkie toe. According to Topkin, playing through the injury isn't a problem for Miller, but the impact the broken toe has on his stride is a concern for the Rays, given that the 28-year-old has previously dealt with hip issues and is coming off offseason core-muscle surgery. Miller is tentatively slated to serve as the Rays' primary second baseman this season, though he could also split time at first base with the newly acquired C.J. Cron.

Martinez will play left field in Wednesday's game against the Twins, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

This will be Martinez's debut in a spring-training game, but he has participated in two controlled minor-league games. He homered off Rick Porcello on Monday and has five hits, three RBI and four walks in the two simulated sessions. While he'll be playing the field Wednesday, Martinez is expected to get most of his playing time as Boston's designated hitter.