MLB Player News

Brantley isn't in the lineup Sunday against the Phillies, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Brantley had started four games in a row after being activated from the DL on Monday. He's off to a 2-for-17 start to the season, but some rustiness was probably expected after offseason shoulder surgery prevented him from taking part in spring training. This is likely just a day off for maintenance purposes, so look for Brantley to return to the lineup when the Tribe opens up a series Tuesday with the Tigers.

Soler is not in the starting lineup Sunday against the Braves.

Soler had been the primary left fielder in Chicago since Kyle Schwarber's knee injury, but has recently been losing time to Kris Bryant at that spot, as manager Joe Maddon has been giving both Tommy La Stella and Javier Baez multiple starts at third base (Bryant's regular position). With Bryant returning from an ankle injury to start Sunday, Soler will be the odd man out against righty Julio Teheran and the Braves.

Miller is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Manager Kevin Cash has all but rid his lineup of lefty bats to counter left-hander J.A. Happ, with the lone exception being center fielder Kevin Kiermaier. The benching should not come as a surprise, as Miller has logged just 11 at-bats against southpaws so far this season. The 26-year-old's overall line against right-handers leaves a lot to be desired, but he's picked it up a bit of late, earning some time in the two-hole against righties.

Goins went 1-for-4 with a ninth-inning solo homer in Friday's 6-1 victory over the Rays.

The second baseman launched his first long ball of the season with two outs in the ninth off veteran southpaw Dana Eveland. Despite the home run, Goins continues to struggle at the plate, as in the midst of a 2-for-26 slump. The 28-year-old is slashing .181/.213/.264 over 72 at-bats in 2016.

Miller went 2-for-3 with a solo homer and a walk in Friday's 6-1 loss to the Blue Jays.

After a terrible start to his Rays tenure, Miller is starting to show signs of life, hitting .353 with three doubles and a pair of RBI over his last five games. Miller is still hitting just .172 however, a testament to how truly atrocious his first two weeks of the season were.

Cespedes was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored and six RBI including a grand slam home run as the Mets dismantled the Giants on Friday night.

He returned to the lineup after missing five games with a leg bruise - aside from a pinch-hit home run - and proceeded to punish the Giants with a huge night at the plate. He has now blasted seven home runs and driven in 23 while hitting .313 on the year despite the days off. Cespedes also left early in this game, but with the Mets up by 12 there was no reason to overburden his balky leg.

Blackmon (toe) has been activated off the disabled list and will bat leadoff Friday against the Diamondbacks, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Brandon Barnes was optioned to Triple-A on Friday in a corresponding move to activate Blackmon off the DL. Blackmon initially landed on the disabled list due to a turf toe injury, but was able to return to the Rockies after the minimum 15-day requirement. He'll draw back into the leadoff spot Friday against Arizona lefty Robbie Ray.

Stanton is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Brewers.

Ichiro Suzuki will take over in right field for Stanton and bat leadoff Friday with manager Don Mattingly giving his star slugger the night off. Friday is believed to just be a routine day off for Stanton, so he figures to rejoin the lineup Saturday in Milwaukee.

Cespedes (leg) is starting in center field and hitting cleanup Friday against the Giants.

He was out of the lineup for the last five games, but made one pinch-hit appearance and hit a home run in that outing. Owners can rest easy and knowing Cespedes is back for the foreseeable future, and he can be deployed Friday in all formats.

Goins is in no immediate danger of losing his spot to Devon Travis (shoulder), who has begun his rehab assignment after having off-season surgery, MLB.com reports.

Second base belongs to Goins, and while that could eventually change, Travis will need to earn his spot on the field. Goins could speed up that timeline if he continues to struggle with the bat, but the Blue Jays are content with his defense and seem to be in no hurry to make a move.