MLB Player News

McCutchen went 1-for-5 with a two-run homer Wednesday, accounting for all the Pirates' runs in a 4-2 loss to Cincinnati.

McCutchen is a remarkable case of consistency not adding up to significant potency, as he's now reached base safely in 22 straight games, and yet he's hitting just .256 in that span (and .235 for the year). That said, he's walking plentifully and all five of his home runs have come in the course of this streak. McCutchen's BABIP is awfully depressed at .240 right now, and even if it rebounds only to somewhere around last season's .297 rather than his career .330 mark, that'll return his average into more-than-respectable territory. His speed has faded, so its important for McCutchen to hit for average to differentiate himself from the crowd of outfielders with 25-homer pop.

Torrens is 1-for-12 with one RBI and four strikeouts in 13 plate appearances this season.

Torrens has only started one game and is the third catcher on the roster behind Austin Hedges and Hector Sanchez. He has entered as a pinch-hitter 10 other times, but has not excelled in those situations. Barring an injury to Hedges or Sanchez, or a sudden explosion at the plate, it's likely Torrens will remain in his current role.

Martinez (foot) has not played defense during his rehab, the Detroit Free Press' Anthony Fenech reports.

While Martinez may be nearing a return soon, he will need at least some defensive reps before rejoining the Tigers. The 29-year-old suffered a minor setback Tuesday after fouling a ball off the (other) foot in an extended spring training game.

Cabrera (groin) is starting at first base and hitting third Wednesday against the Indians.

He was removed from Tuesday's game with groin tightness, the same injury that landed him on the DL recently, but it was apparently a minor issue and he won't miss further time. Cabrera homered before leaving Tuesday's game, and is hitting .267/.362/.500 with four home runs in 60 at-bats this season.

Carpenter went 2-for-4 with a double and a run in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Brewers.

Carpenter is now 5-for-11 with three doubles, a home run, four RBI, three runs and a pair of walks over a modest but encouraging three-game hitting streak. The 31-year-old is sporting a 16.5 percent walk rate that's his highest since his initial 19-plate appearance big-league cup of coffee in 2011, but is striking out at a career-high 23.7 percent clip while making contact a career-low 71 percent of the time.

Miller drew four walks and scored once in five plate appearances during Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Marlins.

Despite an uninspiring .217 average, Miller's OBP is now .374 following Tuesday's season-high four walks. The 27-year-old's walk rate has spiked to 20 percent this season after not having ever been in double digits in any of his previous four big-league campaigns, helping offset a five-percent drop in contact rate. While his current power drought is concerning (one home run over 115 plate appearances after a career-high 30 last season), a breakout may be imminent for Miller, considering his 38.1 percent hard contact rate is the highest of his career.

Buxton went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Tuesday's 9-1 win over the A's.

The homer was his first of the season, and his first extra-base hit since April 15. Buxton's now hitting .294/.500/.471 over the last week and has started to get his contact issues under control, striking out only three times (against seven walks) in 17 at-bats during that stretch. It's a small sample to be sure, but Buxton investors who have been patient through his awful first month of the year may finally be seeing some light at the end of the tunnel.

Cabrera exited Tuesday's game against the Indians early due to groin tightness, Matthew Mowery of The Oakland Press reports.

Cabrera looked himself in his first game back from injury, slugging a two-run home run off of Corey Kluber in the third inning, but was removed late in the game for precautionary reasons after his groin tightened up. It sounds like there's a decent chance that the star first baseman will suit up Wednesday, although he may be penciled in as the team's designated hitter. He'll be considered day-to-day for now, but the injury does not appear to be serious.

Vogelbach was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports.

The 24-year-old failed to impress during his brief stay with the big club, collecting just two hits (both singles) while striking out four times in 14 at-bats. Vogelbach told the News Tribune that his "timing is off a little bit," but he felt he was seeing pitches well. It appears the Mariners are content to go with a combination of Danny Valencia and Taylor Motter at first base for the time being.

Cabrera (groin) is in the lineup Tuesday against the Indians.

Now that Cabrera is healthy, the Tigers are wasting no time getting the 34-year-old slugger back in their lineup. Cabrera is hitting third and starting at first base for Tuesday's outing against a Cleveland team that's starting Corey Kluber on the mound.