MLB Player News

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera is not in Sunday's starting lineup in order to rest his sore ankle, MLB.com reports.

Cabrera could be used as a pinch-hitter Sunday, but if he isn't called upon, he'll get two fulls days of rest before presumingly returning to action Tuesday.

Twins emerging first baseman Kennys Vargas certainly made the most out of his two doubles Saturday in a second straight rout of Detroit.

Vargas drove in one with his double in the second inning and cleared the bases with another in the seventh. He added a sacrifice fly to give him five RBI in the game and 10 in the last seven combined. Vargas has seven hits in the last three games to improve his stat line to .326/.366/.553.

Red Sox outfielder Yoenis Cespedes provided all of the team's offense Friday, in a 5-3 loss to the Mariners.

Cespedes had just one hit in the game, but it was a big one, as he got the Red Sox on the board with a three-run home run. He finished the game 1 for 4 with three RBI and one run scored, while striking out twice.

Cespedes had gone six games since his last home run, and is hitting just .230/.237/.446 with four home runs in 19 games for the Red Sox. 

Red Sox outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is back in the starting lineup Friday against the Mariners, after leaving Thursday's game due to a family issue. He is batting fourth and starting in left field for the opener of a three-game series at home. 

Red Sox outfielder Yoenis Cespedes left Thursday's game due to a "family medical emergency."

Manager John Farrell did not want to get into specifics regarding the issue out of respect to Cespedes. The club is hopeful that Cespedes will be able to play Friday. He was replaced by Will Middlebrooks in the fourth inning. 

Red Sox outfielder Yoenis Cespedes left Thursday's game due to a personal matter.

Cespedes left in the top of the fourth inning. He was replaced by Will Middlebrooks. Cespedes struck out in his only at-bat of the game. 

I've got to hand it to Al Melchior: His predictions this year have been spot-on.

To say I didn't like Kennys Vargas would be inaccurate. Back on Aug. 5, I touted him under the headline "Kennys Vargas could surprise people." But I wasn't willing to endorse him over Kendrys Morales and Steve Pearce, as Al did Thursday morning on the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast.

So of course that afternoon, Vargas goes 3 for 4 with a homer. The timing is incredible.

I'm still not willing to endorse him over Morales, who has a steady track record, or Pearce, who CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman spoke enthusiastically about on Thursday's Fantasy Baseball Today, but he's now officially surprised people. No "could" about it.

Given his strikeout rate, his batting average could be in for a steep regression, but I think Vargas deserves at least as much hype as C.J. Cron got earlier this season. His ownership rate reached 56 percent at one point. Vargas' is currently 35.

Twins designated hitter Kennys Vargas went yard Thursday against the Indians. 

Vargas struck in the bottom of the fourth inning. He took a 93 mph sinker from Corey Kluber out to left for a solo shot. Vargas would also double and single during the outing. He finished 3 for 4, with two runs scored and one RBI. 

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera was serving as the designated hitter for Thursday's game against the Rays after aggravating an ankle injury Wednesday, manager Brad Ausmus told reporters.

Cabrera has served as the DH in 13 of his 123 games this season. Ausmus does not think this injury is much of a concern moving forward. 

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez clubbed his 17th home run Tuesday against the Rays.

Martinez waited until the eighth inning to strike. He led off the inning by taking a 75 mph curveball out to center field for the solo shot. Martinez would also single during the contest. He finished 2 for 5, with one run scored and one RBI.