MLB Player News

Astros outfielder J.D. Martinez had his best game of the season Tuesday at Seattle. Martinez homered and drove in three runs in a 16-9 win. 

He also scored twice. Martinez is batting .263 (5 for 19) with one home run, three RBI and six strikeouts in seven games.

Atheltics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes produced his first multi-hit game of the season Tuesday at L.A. Angels. Cespedes singled twice, walked twice and scored two runs.

Cespedes is still without a double or triple, but he has two home runs and five RBI in eight games. He's batting .179 (5 for 28) with 10 strikeouts.

After being pulled from the contest Monday due to what he called a "mental mistake," Astros outfielder J.D. Martinez was back in the lineup Tuesday against the Mariners.

"Like I said yesterday to you guys, I understood the situation and we talked about it and put it behind us," Martinez said. "We still have a lot more games left to play and it’s behind us and we’re ready to move forward. Today’s a new day."

Martinez has gone 3 for 13 (.231) through six games.

Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera appears to be rounding into midseason form just eight games into the year. Cabrera, coming off his impressive Triple Crown season, had four hits for the second time in the past three games Monday against Toronto to boost his average to .393.

One of his hits was an opposite-field three-run homer over the fence in right field -- his 100th career homer at Comerica Park.

"I've been on record pretty much for the last five years. To me, he's pretty much the best opposite-field home-run hitter probably in the history of the game," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "I've never seen anything like it, to be honest with you. I truly believe that. I think he's got the best opposite-field power of any player I've ever seen."

Miguel Cabrera hit his first homer of the season and drove in four runs, leading the Tigers past the Blue Jays 7-3 Tuesday. Cabrera's home run was a three-run shot off Brandon Morrow in the fourth inning.

Cabrera was 4 for 5 with three runs and four RBI. It was his second four-hit game since Saturday. He's batting .393 (11 for 28) with one double and 10 RBI in seven games.

Astros outfielder J.D. Martinez was taken out of Monday's game after making a mental error at the plate.

Martinez admitted after the game that he did not follow the club's game strategy, swinging at the first pitch he saw. Martinez has been playing while Fernando Martinez is on the disabled list.

Astros outfielder J.D. Martinez hit cleanup Monday night in Seattle. He hit in the four hole 32 times last year, reports MLB.com.

"I've always considered myself a heart-of-the-order-type hitter," he said. "I've always been that since the first time they put me in when I first got called up. I played one game in the six-hole and the next day I was in the three-hole or four-hole. I'm comfortable hitting here. I like it more because there's guys on base more. You're in more of an RBI spot and a pressure spot."

Martinez entered Monday's game having gone 3 for 8 in his first two starts after starting the year 0 for 3 as a reserve in Houston's first three games.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was expected to rest his ailing elbow Sunday in Houston. Cespedes didn't start the game but was needed after Josh Reddick was injured. 

Cespedes entered the game in left field and Seth Smith shifted to right in his place. Cespedes went 0 for 2 and is hitting .120. 

He could have used the complete day off considering he's 3 for 25 and 0 for 11 in his last three games with five strikeouts. 

Astros outfielder J.D. Martinez got the start in left field Sunday in a home game against the Athletics. He hit third in the order and had a base hit. 

Martinez went 1 for 4 with a run scored in the 9-3 loss. The 25-year-old, who has started the last two games, has gone 3 for 8 without an RBI. He's hitting .273 in 11 at-bats. 

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, who has dealt with some elbow discomfort, was given Sunday's game in Houston off to rest, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. 

Cespedes tweaked the elbow during a swing in Saturday's game, but the A's claim he's sitting Sunday due to rest and not due to the injury. Cespedes was not listed on the trainer's report as an injury. 

A day off makes sense for Cespedes, who has gone 1 for 12 over the last three games with six strikeouts. He's batting .130 this season overall with two homers and five RBI among his three total hits. 

He should get back in the lineup Tuesday in Los Angeles after the team has a day off Monday.