MLB Player News

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley left Monday's game after taking a blow to the head while sliding into second base, but he was back in the lineup Tuesday against the Angels.

Athletics left fielder Yoenis Cespedes cracked a three-run homer and had four RBI in Monday's 14-8 loss to the Rangers. Cespedes went 1 for 3 with a walk and a sacrifice fly, upping his average to .259/.309/.502.

Cespedes has 13 homers and 48 RBI in 259 at-bats.

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller went 1 for 3 with a walk and a solo home run in his team's 5-1 win over the Padres Monday.

Miller had hit just one home run since April 11 before knocking his second homer of June Monday. While he's been better at the plate this month, Miller still owns a .179/.250/.296 line with five home runs, 17 RBI and three stolen bases in 196 at-bats.

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez went 1 for 3 with a ninth-inning grand slam Monday, but it wasn't enough to avoid an 11-8 loss to the Royals.

Martinez took over for Torii Hunter, who left the game in the fourth inning with a hamstring cramp, and he pushed his team to within three runs with his home run in the ninth, but they would get no closer. Martinez has hit .270/.309/.494 with four home runs and 20 RBI in 89 at-bats.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley was removed from Monday's game against the Angels after taking a blow to the head on a slide into second base, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Brantley was removed for precautionary reasons, and the nature of the injury makes it likely he'll undergo concussion testing before being cleared to return to the field. After going 1 for 2 with an RBI Monday, Brantley has hit .323/.391/.519 with 11 home runs, 46 RBI and nine stolen bases in 266 at-bats.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley got two more hits Sunday, including his 11th homer. He's 14 of 26 (.538) with two homers and three doubles over his past seven games. Brantley will try to stay hot Monday in the opener of a four-game series against the Angels.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera returned to the field Thursday.

Cabrera has been limited by hamstring issues over the past few days, but was able to serve as the team's designated hitter recently. He's apparently recovered enough to play the field Thursday. Cabrera is hitting .326/.375/.572 over 236 at-bats.

Athletics slugger Yoenis Cespedes remained torrid at the plate Wednesday against the Angels. He extended his hitting streak to nine games, during which he owns a .366 average, with a three-hit performance.

One of those hits was a double, but it was his two singles that drove in runs. Cespedes has raised his average to .261, it's highest point since May 18.

Despite getting a break with a rainout Tuesday night, Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera was slotted as designated hitter for the Wednesday game against the White Sox. Brad Ausmus is being careful with his tight left hamstring, according to MLB.com.

"He said it felt even better today, but that's all right," Ausmus told MLB.com. "We can give him another day to DH and see if the leg is ready to go go (Thursday), play first base."

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera blasted a 431-foot homer against the White Sox on Monday, but the slugger continues to deal with tightness in his left hamstring. "It felt better than (Sunday)," Cabrera told MLive.com. "But the last couple innings it started to get tight again. Hopefully, I can play on the field (Tuesday) and I get loose and go out there and play."

Cabrera is hitting .329 with 12 homers and 52 RBI.