MLB Player News

Martinez went 3-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 8-2 win over the Angels.

It's easy to miss one individual's contributions when a team starts the season at 16-2, tops in MLB, but Martinez is doing his best to stand out. One week ago he was batting .227, but he's put on a show since, going 13-for-24 (.542) with three doubles, two home runs and five RBI over the past six games. Boston's starting pitching has been elite and Mookie Betts is tearing up the league, but Martinez has raised his average 111 points over the past week and is looking comfortable in the middle of the order after a slow start, leading the league in hard contact (65.3 percent).

Jimenez (pectoral) went 0-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored Thursday for Double-A Birmingham.

Jimenez, the White Sox's top-ranked fantasy prospect per RotoWire, had been dealing with a strained left pectoral muscle. He'd been at extended spring training until his regular season started Thursday with the Barons. He's expected to reach Triple-A Charlotte at some point in 2018, with a promotion to the big leagues much later this season a real possibility.

Belt went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in the Giants' 3-1 defeat to the Diamondbacks on Thursday.

Belt was the only Giant to get to Zack Greinke with his second-inning solo blast representing his team's only run of the contest. After a relatively quiet start to the season, it was Belt's second straight game with a long ball and he's now got a solid .255/.361/.471 slash line this season.

Cabrera went 3-for-5 with a double in Thursday's win over the Orioles.

Strangely, Cabrera didn't score or drive anyone in despite his three hits and despite the Tigers scoring 13 runs. Still, it's good to see the veteran rack up the hits, and he's now slashing .283/.353/.467. After a subpar 2017, Cabrera is showing signs of his old self early in 2018.

Ohtani (hand) will hit sixth in the order for Thursday's game against the Red Sox.

This marks the highest spot in the batting order for Ohtani during his brief career in the big leagues. The 23-year-old will handle the designated hitting duties against left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez after being removed from Tuesday's start on the mound due to a blister on his right hand. Ohtani remains on track to make his next scheduled start against the Astros on Tuesday.

Stanton will be moved down to the cleanup spot against Toronto on Thursday, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Stanton has hit third in the order in all 16 games this season, but manager Aaron Boone has finally decided to shake things up in the hopes of getting the 28-year-old back on track. Didi Gregorius will bat third while Gary Sanchez follows Stanton in the five hole. Prior to Thursday's game, Stanton was slashing .197/.293/.409 with three home runs, 10 RBI and a 38.7-percent K%.

Canha went 1-for-5 with a solo home run and two walks in an extra-innings win over the White Sox on Wednesday.

Canha's second homer of the season kickstarted what would end up being a rally from an early 6-1 deficit. The 29-year-old has a modest three-game hitting streak going, and he's now hit safely in five of his last six games overall.

Belt went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's extra-inning win over Arizona.

Belt came through in the clutch, taking Diamondbacks closer Brad Boxberger deep in the top of the 10th inning to give the Giants enough of a cushion to come away with the victory. The 30-year-old has been as advertised early on, providing excellent on-base skills (.368 on-base percentage) to go along with modest power (two homers in 47 at-bats).

Miller (groin) went 1-for-2 with a walk and a run in High-A Charlotte's 18-2 win over Clearwater on Wednesday.

Miller suited up for his second consecutive game for the Stone Crabs, playing second base and apparently emerging without setbacks. That seemingly clears the way for him to rejoin the big-league club for the opening contest of a three-game home set against the Twins on Friday. Miller is expected to see plenty of time at the keystone upon activation, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports, as Daniel Robertson is currently manning third base in place of Matt Duffy (hamstring).

Cespedes went 2-for-5 with a grand slam and a pair of runs scored in Wednesday's win over the Nationals.

The grand slam put the cap on a nine-run eighth inning, as the Mets turned a 4-2 deficit into an 11-5 win. The 32-year-old had been struggling mightily to open up the season, but he's now logged consecutive multi-hit games to help raise his average over the Mendoza Line. Strikeouts remain a bit of an issue, as he whiffed twice more Wednesday to bring his strikeout rate up to 38.7 percent, but this performance could be what he needed to finally start turning a corner.