MLB Player News

Buxton is out of the lineup Saturday, the Star Tribune's LaVelle Neal reports.

Few MLB hitters are scuffling at the plate to the extent that Buxton is, and he had a non-competitive at-bat with the bases loaded Friday, where he struck out on three pitches. He has seven strikeouts and two hits (both for extra bases) over his last 14 at-bats, and could be nearing a demotion to Triple-A. Max Kepler, a prospect with less upside, but perhaps more polish, will get the start in center field and hit seventh Saturday.

Brantley (shoulder) could rejoin the Indians as soon as Monday if an evaluation Sunday goes well, MLB.com reports.

Brantley is scheduled to play the second of consecutive games Saturday before being re-evaluated by the team's medical staff Sunday at which point he could be activated off the DL for Monday.

Miller is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Yankees, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports.

Tim Beckham will make his second straight start at shortstop with the Rays facing another lefty in CC Sabathia. Miller figures to continue starting against right-handers for the time being, but he is off to a miserable start against opposite-handed pitching with three hits and nine strikeouts in 32 at-bats.

Miller is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Red Sox, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports.

With left-handed David Price on the mound for Boston, the Rays will go with Tim Beckham at shortstop. Miller has surprisingly fared better against righties than against lefties this season, with his only home run and all three of his RBI coming against same-hand pitching. No matter, he figures to get most of his rest when the team faces southpaws.

Buxton isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Buxton will take a seat while Eddie Rosario gets the nod in center field and Oswaldo Arcia starts in left. The 22-year-old went 1-for-7 with a triple over the past two games, coming off a hand injury that kept him out for three games. Buxton has struck out at a 42.9 percent clip through the Twins' first 14 games of the 2016 season.

Brantley is scheduled to play back-to-back games Friday and Saturday with Triple-A Columbus.

Playing back-to-back games is considered the last hurdle to overcome before returning to the Indians lineup, so given that the Indians felt confident enough to schedule it now is a very good sign. The schedule states that his location on Sunday is TBD, so things should become clearer following the second game of the back-to-back.

Brantley (shoulder) worked out with the Indians on Tuesday and will continue his rehab at Double-A Akron on Wednesday, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Brantley still needs to get in consecutive games in order to clear the final hurdle in his rehab but that could come shortly if he doesn't suffer any setbacks.

Reed homered for the third time in five games during Monday's game against Triple-A Las Vegas.

He's hitting .244/.319/.561 through 10 games, boasting three homers and 11 RBI with a 5:11 BB:K. Thanks to the emergence of Tyler White and the return of Evan Gattis, the Astros don't have a pressing need for Reed at the present time, but Gattis' expected return to occasional catching duties may open up flexibility for at-bats at first base or DH for Reed if he forces his way onto the Astros' 25-man roster in the coming weeks.

Buxton is in the lineup for Monday's game against the Brewers, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports.

Buxton did not start the last three games due to a hand injury, but he was able to log a couple at-bats Sunday off the bench, and is now back in the starting lineup. He will man center field and hit ninth against Brewers starter Chase Anderson.

Buxton (hand) entered Sunday's win over the Angels as a pinch runner in the eighth inning and went 0-for-2 with a stolen base when the game went to extra innings.

Buxton had been out since Thursday after being hit by a pitch on the hand. It looks like he could return to the lineup Monday.