MLB Player News

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley (shoulder) is back in the lineup Friday against the Royals.

After missing the previous two games with a right shoulder injury, Brantley apparently improved enough for manager Terry Francona to slot him back into the lineup. The 28-year-old will man his usual left field duties and bat third.

Indians left fielder Michael Brantley (shoulder) is improving but still might be held out of the lineup Friday in Kansas City, per the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

"He's doing better," Terry Francona said. "He hit in the cage (Thursday). I don't know if he'll play Friday, but I guess the fact that we're even thinking about it means that he's getting closer."

Brantley's missed the last two games but looks to be a factor at some point over the weekend as Cleveland tries desperately to stay in the playoff hunt.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley (shoulder) is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Twins.

Brantley will sit out for the second straight day due to the shoulder injury he suffered in Tuesday's game. Mike Aviles will get another start in left field in Brantley's place.

Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (knee) is back in the lineup and hitting third Thursday, SB Nation's Eric Stephen reports. 

After missing four games with the knee issue, Turner returns as one of the only Dodgers regulars in Thursday's lineup.

Manager Don Mattingly said Turner won't play every day over the rest of the regular season as the Dodgers hope to have him fresh for a run in October.

Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon (neck) is out of the lineup Thursday, The Denver Post reports. 

He will miss his second straight game with neck stiffness. Corey Dickerson will slide over to center field with Kyle Parker getting the start in right field.

Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter went 2 for 3 with two home runs and four runs batted in, guiding St. Louis to a 10-2 win over the Reds. 

Carpenter took opposing pitcher Brandon Finnegan deep in the third and fifth innings, providing his fifth and sixth home runs of the year against left-handed pitching. The 29-year-old has showed off his power lately, hitting five home runs in his last 31 at-bats.

Cubs outfielder Jorge Soler went 2 for 3 with his 10th homer of the year Wednesday against the Brewers.

Soler's now homered in three of his last four games -- a span that's included only seven at-bats. It's nice to see him ending the year on a high note, as Soler should be an intriguing post-hype selection in next year's drafts, assuming he can nail down a regular lineup spot.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley (shoulder) is out of Wednesday's lineup against the Twins. 

Brantley exited Tuesday's game because of the shoulder issue, and it will cost him Wednesday's contest as well. The team hasn't released an update beyond a left shoulder issue at this time, but the severity should be clarified at some point in the near future.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox due to a back issue, Chris Iott of MLive.com reports.

Cabrera has recorded a hit in five straight games, but Cabrera will reportedly sit out Wednesday to receive two days off with the team off day Thursday. It sounds as though the injury is relatively minor in nature, so it's possible he'll rejoin the lineup as soon as Friday. Alex Avila will get the start at first base in Cabrera's place.

Indians left fielder Michael Brantley left Tuesday's game with a right shoulder injury, the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Paul Hoynes reports.

He injured the shoulder on a diving attempt to catch an Aaron Hicks triple in the third inning and was replaced by Michael Martinez. Brantley was 0 for 2 before exiting, and his status will be updated when the team updates the severity of the injury.