MLB Player News

Martinez (elbow) is expected to be activated from the disabled list before the Tigers' homestand concludes Aug. 7, Matthew Mowery of The Oakland Press reports. "[Martinez is] getting close. He's going to DH again [Saturday]," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. Like I said, it wouldn't be a shock to me if we saw him before the end of this homestand. I'd actually be more surprised if we didn't see him before the end of the homestand."

Martinez's elbow still presents pain for him while throwing, so he has yet to see any time in the outfield during his rehab stint with Triple-A Toledo. The Tigers utilize Victor Martinez as a full-time DH, so J.D. Martinez may need to prove that he can defend his position capably before the team activates him. In any event, Martinez's return seems forthcoming, so he's worth stashing in just about any format if he was dropped after suffering the injury back in mid-June.

Miller went 2-for-4 with a solo homer in Saturday's 6-3 victory over the Yankees.

The 26-year-old shortstop got the Rays' scoring started with a 423-foot solo shot to center in the first. Miller's homer totals have increased with each subsequent month this season and his 16 round-trippers on the season are easily a career high. He also has three straight two-hit efforts and a four-game hitting streak overall.

Vargas is not in Saturday's lineup against the White Sox, Brandon Warne of ColdOmahaMN reports.

Vargas is getting his second game off in Minnesota's last two as recent call-up Jorge Polanco fills in at DH, batting seventh. Currently in the midst of a six game-hit streak, Vargas has slashed .318/.407/.455 with three runs and four RBI during that span.

Miller went 2-for-5 with a double, a triple and two runs in Friday's 5-1 victory over the Yankees.

The 26-year-old shortstop was making some impactful contact against Yankees starter Ivan Nova, with the three-bagger representing his fifth of the season overall. Miller has hit safely in four of the last five contests as well and has consecutive multi-hit efforts. While he's still hitting a rather middling .250, he's picked it up in the power department over the last several weeks, tallying 10 homers since June 11 while also posting 22 of his 37 RBI since June 1.

Martinez (elbow) will start at DH for Triple-A Toledo on Friday, Matthew B. Mowery of The Oakland Press reports.

Martinez has gone 4-for-10 in his first two rehab assignment games and will be back out there in the DH role Friday against Triple-A Gwinnett. He's yet to advance to playing in the outfield during an outing but that will likely occur in the coming days. Pending any setbacks, the 28-year-old is still projecting to return to the Tigers in early August.

Martinez (elbow) was throwing from 220 feet Friday, but felt a little sore after the workout as he remains on the disabled list, Tony Paul of DetroitNews.com reports.

There was the slight chance that Martinez could play in the outfield for Triple-A Toledo's game on Friday, but the team isn't taking any chances and will keep him in the DH spot for now. Manager Brad Ausmus said that he could return before the end of the team's homestand, which continues through August 7. Chances are that he will be back before then, and could be back in the lineup as a right fielder within the next couple days.

Brantley took some swings from a pitching machine Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

It's a step in the right direction for Brantley who has had a tumultuous return from shoulder discomfort that's sidelined him since early May. There's likely to be an update on the 28-year-old's progress in the coming days after he sees how he feels following the hitting session.

Goins (forearm) is 12-for-42 (.318) with one extra-base hit during his rehab assignment at Triple-A Buffalo.

Goins has been eligible to come off the 15-day DL for more than a week now, but the team has decided to keep the tag on him. It doesn't appear the problem has anything to do with the infielder's health, so there's something else going on here. Goins struggled mightily before being injured and landing on the DL back on July 2, and utility infielder Darwin Barney -- who is a very similar player to Goins -- has been the better of the two this season. It's very possible that the 28-year-old Goins will stay put in the minors for a while.

Vargas is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Orioles, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports.

Vargas will get a day off Thursday as Robbie Grossman takes over the designated hitter's spot. In the past five games, Vargas has gone 6-for-18 with three RBI and three doubles, and has provided a nice bat to the lineup since being recalled from Triple-A in early July.

Cabrera went 3-for-4 with the go-ahead home run in the ninth during a 4-3 victory over the Red Sox on Wednesday.

His ninth-inning homer gave Detroit a key victory over Boston. The Tigers now trail the Red Sox by 2.5 games in the Wild Card race. Cabrera went 5-for-10 (.500) with two homers, three RBI and three runs in the series at Fenway. He is slashing .301/.382/.522 with 21 home runs, 60 RBI and 55 runs in 379 at-bats this season.