MLB Player News

Miller went 1-for-2 with two walks and a run in Monday's 14-7 loss to the Astros.

The trade of Tim Beckham has likely afforded Miller the starting second base job for the remainder of the campaign, despite the extensive struggles the latter has encountered at the plate. He got his new starting tenure off to a solid start, getting on base throughout the night after going hitless over his last three games. Miller has plenty of work to do to boost up his current .202/.342/.328 line -- a reduction of his career-high 26.3 percent strikeout rate would be a good way to start.

Miller is starting at second base and batting sixth Monday against the Astros, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

With Tim Beckham headed to the Orioles, it appears Miller is set to enjoy an everyday role at second base for the remainder of the season. The 27-year-old has struggled at the plate, though, slashing just .199/.335/.327 in 239 plate appearances, so even with the bump in playing time, he won't carry much fantasy value unless he shows significant improvement. That's not impossible, of course -- this is, after all, a guy who hit 30 homers last year.

Reed was recalled from Triple-A Fresno on Monday.

Reed's long-term outlook dimmed quite a bit after he hit just .164 while striking out in 34 percent of his plate appearances with the Astros last season, but he still profiles as an above-average power source at the big-league level. The 24-year-old has maintained that reputation by slugging 22 home runs and 40 extra-base hits in total in 427 plate appearances with Fresno in 2017, which should at least make him a decent weapon off the bench for the Astros while he sticks around in the majors. With Yulieski Gurriel locked in as the everyday first baseman, however, Reed will be hard-pressed to pick up more than a start or two per week.

Buxton (hamstring) went 5-for-12 in three rehab games for Triple-A Rochester and is set to be activated from the 10-day disabled list before Tuesday's game, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Buxton will likely return to the everyday lineup in center field. It will be interesting to see if the Twins continue to find a spot in the lineup for Zack Granite, who is hitting .368 (14-for-38) over his last 10 games.

Brantley is out of the lineup Sunday against the White Sox, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Indians manager Terry Francona decided it was an opportune time to provide Brantley with his first day off since late June with the White Sox bringing southpaw Carlos Rodon to the hill for the series finale. To counter Rodon, lefty masher Brandon Guyer will check into the lineup in right field and bat sixth.

Miller is out of the lineup Sunday against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays recently acquired Lucas Duda to serve as their primary designated hitter, so it appears Miller will have to settle for a platoon role at second base with Tim Beckham going forward. With the Yankees bringing a southpaw (Jordan Montgomery) to the hill for a second consecutive day, Miller will hit the bench again, but his status as a lefty hitter likely means that he'll see a heavier workload than Beckham in most weeks.

Miller is not in the lineup Thursday against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Miller will head to the bench for a night off in order to avoid the lefty-on-lefty matchup with New York starter CC Sabathia. Trevor Plouffe will act as the designated hitter for the evening.

Buxton (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Rochester this weekend, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Buxton was set to return from the DL on Tuesday, but then was sidelined with migraine headaches. The Twins feel he needs a few at-bats with the layoff, so he'll play at Triple-A. He'll likely be activated after Monday's off day for the Twins.

Buxton (head) has yet to be activated due to a migraine issue, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports Wednesday.

Buxton has been on the 10-day disabled list with a groin issue, but that's not what has been bothering the young outfielder for the past few days. Until the headaches clear up, expect Buxton to remain on the disabled list. The Twins have an off-day Thursday, so chances are he will only miss one or two more games at most.

Lewis (knee) is back in the lineup for High-A Modesto on Wednesday.

Lewis exited Monday with knee soreness, but didn't suffer any structural damage and will be good to go for Wednesday's contest against San Jose. Following a return from knee surgery that he underwent in July of 2016, Lewis is hitting .368/.429/.842 with three home runs and seven RBI in six games for Modesto this season.