MLB Player News

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley went 3 for 4 with two doubles, a home run and three RBI in his team's 5-3 win over the Yankees Tuesday.

Brantley drove in a run in the first inning with a double and did the same in the fifth with another double. He then swatted a solo home run in the seventh inning to provide his team with an insurance run they wouldn't need. Brantley, who has collected multiple hits in five straight games, owns a .328/.391/.529 line with 14 home runs and 60 RBI in 329 at-bats.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes will be looking for his second straight title when he participates in this year's Home Run Derby.

Cespedes was officially selected to be part of the AL team this season Tuesday. He more than doubled any of his competitors in the first round last season by hitting 17 home runs, adding six more in the second round to cruise into the Finals, where he defeated Bryce Harper 9-8. Named as a reserve to the AL All-Star squad Sunday, Cespedes has hit 14 home runs in 332 at-bats this season.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera turned down an invitation to participate in the Home Run Derby, saying he doesn't want to mess with his swing, reports the Detroit Free Press. "I’ll enjoy watching it," said Cabrera, who competed in the 2010 Home Run Derby.

Cabrera is hitting .308 with 14 homers and 68 RBI. "I don’t want to mess with my swing anymore," Cabrera said. "I got enough going on with it."

On Sunday, Major League Baseball revealed the American League reserves for the 2014 All-Star Game, which will be held on July 15 at Target Field in Minneapolis.

The following players were selected as reserves:

C Salvador Perez, Royals
C Derek Norris, Athletics
C Kurt Suzuki, Twins
1B Jose Abreu, White Sox
1B Victor Martinez, Tigers
1B Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays
1B/OF Brandon Moss, Athletics
2B Jose Altuve, Astros
SS Alexei Ramirez, White Sox
3B Adrian Beltre, Rangers
OF Yoenis Cespedes, Athletics
OF Alex Gordon, Royals
OF Michael Brantley, Indians

On Sunday, Major League Baseball revealed the American League starting lineup for the 2014 All-Star Game, which will be held on July 15 at Target Field in Minneapolis. Orioles catcher Matt Wieters was voted as a starter, but Royals catcher Salvador Perez will take his place behind the plate for the game. Other injured players will likely be replaced on the roster moving forward.

The following players were selected as starters by the fans:

OF Jose Bautista, Blue Jays (leading vote-getter)
OF Mike Trout, Angels
OF Adam Jones, Orioles
1B Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
2B Robinson Cano, Mariners
SS Derek Jeter, Yankees
3B Josh Donaldson, Athletics
C Matt Wieters, Orioles
DH Nelson Cruz, Orioles

RHP Yu Darvish, Rangers
RHP Max Scherzer, Tigers
RHP Felix Hernandez, Mariners
RHP Masahiro Tanaka, Yankees
LHP Jon Lester, Red Sox
LHP David Price, Rays
LHP Scott Kazmir, Athletics
LHP Mark Buehrle, Blue Jays
LHP Sean Doolittle, Athletics
RHP Greg Holland, Royals
LHP Glen Perkins, Twins
RHP Dellin Betances, Yankees

Royals infielder Christian Colon picked up three hits Friday against the Indians.

Colon was an extra-base machine during the outing. After tripling in his first at-bat, Colon doubled his second time up. In his final at-bat, Colon belted another double. He finished 3 for 4, with three runs scored and one RBI.

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez continued his hot -hitting ways Tuesday, in a 3-0 win over the Athletics.

Martinez provided some insurance runs for Rick Porcello's complete-game shutout, with his sixth-inning two-run home run. He went 2 for 4 overall in the game, adding a double and a run scored in the win.

Martinez now has 10 home runs in just 145 at-bats, just one shy of his career-high set in 395 at-bats in 2012. He is hitting .317/.354/.628 since he was called up to join the Tigers.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, who was unable to start Tuesday because of a hamstring injury, said he could have started, if needed. He said he's dealing with hamstring tightness and doesn't believe the injury is serious.

"I'm ready," Cespedes said, per the San Francisco Chronicle.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (hamstring) and catcher Derek Norris (back) were unable to start Tuesday at Detroit. Norris missed a fourth straight start, while Cespedes sat out for the first time since getting hurt Monday.

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller continued his recent surge with a solo home run during a 10-4 win Monday at Houston. It was Miller's fourth home run in his last 13 games.

Miller hit .349 (15 for 43) with a .417 on-base percentage, .628 slugging percentage and 1.045 OPS over his last 13 starts in June. For the month, he hit .298 with a .355 on-base percentage, .512 slugging percentage, .867 OPS, five home runs, 12 RBI and 15 runs in 26 games.