MLB Player News

A massive slump that followed a mild one has Mariners shortstop Brad Miller out of the lineup Friday for the second time in five games. He is set to sit against the Rangers.

Miller, who started the season hot after a torrid spring, has just one hit in his last 18 at-bats and owns a poor stat line of .183/.221/.341.

What was expected became reality Friday when Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was absent from the lineup posted for the game in Houston.

Cespedes sustained a hamstring injury Thursday and could miss a few more games. He has been struggling recently with two hits in his last 15 at-bats.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was forced out of Thursday's contest because of a left hamstring injury, and is expected to miss "a few games," the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Cespedes was seen limping after legging out an infield single in the seventh inning. He was checked out by trainers and replaced by Josh Reddick. He finished 1 for 5 before the injury. He is hitting .238/.316/.464 on the year.

Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera continued his awakening at the plate Thursday with two hits, including a critical two-RBI single in the seventh inning that gave his team some breathing room and a 5-2 lead.

Cabrera had already singled in a run in the third to provide Detroit the lead for good. He now has 13 RBI on the year.

Blue Jays second baseman Ryan Goins went 1 for 2 with a walk, two runs and his first home run of the season in his team's 10-8 loss to the Orioles Wednesday.

Wednesday's game wa a home-run barrage, with the two teams combining for seven of them. Goins' home run was just his second extra-base hit and eighth hit overall this season. He has hit .154/.214/.231 in 52 at-bats.

The flip-flop of Dustin Ackley and Brad Miller in the Wednesday lineup got the Mariners was intended to reinstate the latter into the second spot despite his slump.

Miller doubled in the eighth inning Tuesday for his first hit since April 17. But Lloyd McClendon claims optimism that he can regain the form that made him one of the hottest hitters in the game in spring training.

"Hopefully he's over the hump and back on course again," McClendon told MLB.com.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera was able to pick things up offensively Tuesday, going 3 for 5 with one double, one home run and three RBI in his team's 8-6 win over the White Sox.

Cabrera had just one hit in 15 at-bats over his last four games and only one home run this season before turning in a fine performance in Tuesday's win. His line is up to .235/.297/.412 in 68 at-bats.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is back in the lineup and batting fifth in Tuesday's game against the Rangers.

Cespedes wasn't in the starting lineup Monday after suffering a bruised heel in his previous game, but he was able to play two innings off the bench in Monday's game. He has hit 247/.325/.493 with four home runs and 13 RBI in 73 at-bats.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (heel) came off the bench on Monday, and played the field for two innings in a 4-3 defeat to the Rangers.

Cespedes, who is recovering from a heel injury, flew out in each of his two at-bats, including in the ninth with a runner on second for the final out of the game. He is hitting .247/.325/.493 with four home runs and 13 RBI in 73 at-bats.

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller was dropped to ninth in the order prior to Monday's game against the Astros, MLB.com reports. Miller has three home runs and seven RBI over his first 72 at-bats, but is slashing .194/.237/.361 over that span.