MLB Player News

Ruf (shoulder) is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Padres, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.

Ruf, if healthy, would have started at first base Thursday with the Padres starting southpaw Drew Pomeranz, but Ryan Howard will get the nod with Ruf still banged up. While Ruf's shoulder is still too sore for him to play a full nine innings, he may be able to pinch hit if needed.

Soler went 2-for-2 with an RBI, run, and walk against the Reds on Wednesday.

Soler pushed his batting average up to .200 with the effort. He is playing nearly every day in the wake of Kyle Schwarber's season-ending knee injury, but so far he has just five hits in 25 at-bats. On the plus side, he's struck out just six times, which is a much better strikeout rate than he's shown up to this point in his career.

Ruf said his shoulder was feeling better Wednesday after receiving a cortisone shot, Evan Webeck of MLB.com reports.

Ruf said he was not sure if he'll be able to play Thursday. The Phillies face lefty Drew Pomeranz and they would surely like to have Ruf in the lineup if he is ready to go.

Goins collected three hits -- including two doubles -- and two RBI in Wednesday's 7-2 victory over the Yankees.

It's hard to ask for much more from someone who bats at the bottom of the order. Though he won't provide much power, Goins has hit the ball well this season, posting a line of .321/.345/.429. Wednesday was the second multi-hit performance in the last three games for the second baseman. His RBI opportunities could be limited due to his order in the lineup, but he's seeing the ball well and can provide fantasy value, especially in AL-only leagues.

Cabrera reached base three times in a 1-for-3 day at the plate, along with accruing a run and an RBI against the Pirates on Tuesday.

Cabrera was coming off two straight games without a hit, however the slugger has reached base at least once in each of Detroit's games this year. He has drawn four walks in his last three games as well, and appears to be seeing the ball very well early on this season. While only batting .273, Cabrera is managing a .407 OBP.

Choi is out of the lineup on Wednesday against the A's, Pedro Moura of the LA Times reports.

After getting the start at DH Tuesday, Choi will draw out of the lineup. He's made two starts in the team's first eight games, going 0-for-6 with two walks this season. He'll make way for Albert Pujols at DH while C.J. Cron slides over to first base.

After going hitless with two strikeouts in four at-bats Tuesday, McCutchen is batting .258 with no homers and one RBI.

Batting second, McCutchen is tied with the Dodgers' Adrian Gonzalez for the league lead in plate appearances (37). He's just missed hitting several homers, but his soft contact percentage (25.9 percent) is nearly double his career norm (13.7 percent). McCutchen is looking to start strong after a slow start last season but so far the results have been ordinary.

Ozuna is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro.

Ozuna owns just a .510 OPS six games into the season, so manager Don Mattingly decided to give him a mental break Wednesday. Ichiro Suzuki will get the start in center field in Ozuna's place.

Brantley (shoulder), who started his rehab at Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday, will transition to Double-A Akron on Thursday and play every other day for about a week, MLB.com reports.

If that timetable holds for Brantley, he'll likely be looking at a return date around the end of April as the Indians will most certainly want him to appear in consecutive games before joining the major league team.

Manager Pete Mackanin said Ruf (shoulder) could be available to pinch hit Wedensday, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports.

Ruf is currently day-to-day with a bruised rotator cuff. He hurt the shoulder diving for a ball at first base in Monday's game.