MLB Player News

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller doesn't believe he requires an overhaul to escape a massive, extended slump that has lowered his batting average to .154.

"One swing away," he told the Tacoma News-Tribune. "One little thing. Baseball is such a feel game, and it's right there. I always feel like I'm right there. Nothing too crazy."

Miller, who was the talk of baseball during a torrid spring, has just two hits in 36 at-bats since his last multi-hit game on May 2. But his struggles extend back to mid-April. He has just seven hits in his last 71 at-bats.

Though he was forced to sit out Thursday's game against the Blue Jays, Indians outfielder Michael Brantley is not expected to be sidelined long due to a back injury.

Brantley was held out of the lineup Thursday, but manager Terry Francona told MLB.com it was more of a precautionary move. He expects Brantley to be back in the lineup Friday against the Athletics.

"He's doing really well," Francona said. "I just think since we're on turf, it's the last day of the trip, I'm not going to play him tonight. I think he'll be good to go tomorrow. He's going to take [batting practice]. He's already come out and thrown a little bit.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley is not in the starting lineup Thursday.

Brantley had to leave Wednesday's game due to a back injury. He'll need more time to recover. For now, Brantley is considered day-to-day with the injury. He's hitting .279/.340/.483 in 147 at-bats. 

There are many Fantasy owners out there wondering what to do with Mariners shortstop Brad Miller? Should you keep him in your lineup, stash him on your bench or drop him onto waivers?

Most Fantasy owners have been taking the last option, as Miller's Fantasy ownership has dropped from 97 percent as of Week 2 to 48 percent as of Thursday. Ouch.

I must admit, I'm part of the less than 50 percent of Fantasy owners still holding out hope for Miller to turn it around. The potential is there. He's just chasing a lot of pitches outside the strike zone and it appears he doesn't have a lot of confidence at the plate. I went more in depth about Miller's Fantasy value in a blog I wrote Thursday.

I can't blame Fantasy owners for needing to make a move with Miller, especially if you are in a shallow league and can't avoid a roster spot. But if you are in a deeper format and can afford to keep Miller on your bench, then I support that decision. If you have kept him this long, why not hold onto him a little longer.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley was removed from Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays due to back tightness, MLB.com reports.

Brantley was 1 for 3 with a double and a run scored before departing. He has hit .279/.340/.483 with seven home runs and 30 RBI in 147 at-bats. The Indians will likely update his status after the game.

Spring training phenom Brad Miller will get a chance to recapture that magic despite his woes in the regular season, per MLB.com. The Mariners are sticking with him as their starter, though perhaps not for long.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned," said Lloyd McClendon. "He's struggling right now and I'm trying to get him out of it. I've said a few times you either play 'em or you bench 'em. We're trying to play him and see if he can come out of it. I don't have any answers."

Apparently, neither does Miller. He has just one hit since May 5 and his average has fallen to .156 on the season. He hit two home runs in the season opener and just one since.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera was 2 for 3 with a ninth-inning, three-run home run in his team's 4-1 win over the Orioles Tuesday.

Cabrera's two-out homer turned his team's 1-0 deficit into a lead they wouldn't relinquish in the bottom of the inning. He's turned things around in May after a slow start, giving himself a .298/.342/.504 line with six home runs and 33 RBI in 141 at-bats.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera went 1 for 3 with a three-run home run in his team's 9-3 win over the Twins Saturday.

Cabrera endured a slow start to the season, but he's certainly picked things up in May, going 11 for 37 with four doubles, three home runs and 13 RBI. He has hit .282/.329/.481 with five home runs and 28 RBI in 131 at-bats.

The only consistently productive hitter for the Indians this season remained productive Thursday against Minnesota.

Left fielder Michael Brantley slugged three more hits, including his sixth home run in the fifth, and added a double in raising his average to .289. His 29 RBI is third in the American League.

Brantley has fanned just 10 times in 128 at-bats.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera went 1 for 4 with a two-run home run in his team's 3-2 win over the Astros Wednesday.

Cabrera hasn't quite been the MVP-caliber hitter of years past this season, but he now has home runs in back-to-back games as well as a few weeks of excellent hitting after seeing his average sink as low as .206 in mid-April. Cabrera has hit .292/.336/.483 with four home runs and 25 RBI in 120 at-bats.