MLB Player News

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller collected his second multihit game in three appearances during Wednesday's game against the Angels. Miller went 2 for 4 with a solo home run off Matt Shoemaker in the third inning.

Miller is batting .400 (4 for 10) with one home run, one RBI and two runs.

Athletics rookie Mark Canha had a big performance in his major-league debut Wednesday against the Rangers. He totaled three hits, including two doubles, and four RBI. He also had one run.

Canha almost had his first career home run in the bottom of the third inning, but the baseball hit the top of the right-center-field wall, so Canha had to settle for a three-run double.

"From the angle that I was running it looked like it might have hit off the wall then hit off one of those beams that's in the background there," Canha said, per MLB.com. "I really wanted the first one to be a grand slam. I thought that would have been cool. Just missed it."

Indians All-Star outfielder Michael Brantley missed a second straight start Thursday against the Astros due to a back injury. David Murphy started in left field Thursday after Mike Aviles drew the start in Brantley's absence Wednesday.

Brantley, who was hitless in four at-bats during his season debut Monday, will be evaluated by the doctors in Cleveland on Friday.

"He's a little stiff," Francona said, per Cleveland.com. "We'll try to stay away from him [Thursday] and get him looked at [Friday] morning, just to get a little more clarity. The doctors who have all looked at him think they have a bead on it, but it just keeps acting up on him. Hopefully the more information we get, the better feel we have and we can get him back out there playing."

Brantley has been plagued by back issues since arriving for spring training in mid-February. He was excused from some drills early in camp and missed some spring games due to his back problems.

Francona added Brantley "felt great" Wednesday before his back tightened up on him.

Indians manager Terry Francona said Wednesday that he's "hopeful" outfielder Michael Brantley, who was scratched from Wednesday's lineup with a back injury, will return to the lineup Thursday but that he's uncertain of Brantley's availability, the Northeast Ohio Media Group reports.

"If he doesn't," Francona said, "I'd rather it be a day or two than a week or two. He's battled this on and off all spring. We just want to get a handle on it."

Brantley also dealt with back issues this spring and was able to play in Monday's season opener, going 0 for 4 at the plate.

"The doctors have looked at him and I don't think there's any real concern structurally, but it hurts," Francona said. "We'll see how he feels [Thursday] and we'll certainly get him looked at when he gets home."

The Indians head to Cleveland Friday to open a weekend series against the Tigers.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton had a very poor day at the plate in the team's 2-0 loss to the Braves on Wednesday.

''You go through spells like that,'' Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. ''We came out of spring training and I thought we were swinging the bats really well. I give the Braves credit for the way they pitched. They pitched really well and shut us down.''

Stanton struck out three times, walking once. His batting average in the early stages of the season is .125. 

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley was a late scratch from Wednesday's lineup due to lower back stiffness, the team announced.

Brantley also dealt with back issues late in spring training. He went 0 for 4 on Opening Day. With Brantley sidelined, Mike Aviles will play left field and bat ninth.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt is dealing with a very mild groin strain and is optimistic he will avoid landing on the DL with the injury, Belt said per CSN Bay Area.

Belt pulled up lame when trying to make a catch in Tuesday's game and was forced to leave with the injury. He is hoping to take some batting practice Wednesday, but doesn't know when he will be able to return yet.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's matchup with the Diamondbacks.

Belt left Tuesday's game with a groin injury and was scheduled to undergo an MRI Wednesday. With the first baseman sidelined, catcher Buster Posey will shift to first base and Hector Sanchez will enter the game at catcher.

The Giants will also start Matt Duffy at second base and Justin Maxwell in right field Wednesday, sending Joe Panik and Gregor Blanco to the bench.

The Athletics will use their third new lineup in as many days Wednesday against the Rangers, starting Mark Canha at first base, Josh Phegley at catcher and Tyler Ladendorf at second base, the team announced.

Canha will replace Ike Davis at first and make his first career appearance in the majors. Phegley will replace Stephen Vogt at catcher and is hitting .207 with seven home runs and 29 RBI in his career. Ladendorf will replace Eric Sogard at second and make just his third career appearance in the majors.

Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg has decided to adjust his outfield for Philadelphia's second game against the Red Sox, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Sandberg is going with Ben Revere in center field, Darin Ruf in left field, and Jeff Francoeur in right field, pushing Grady Sizemore and Odubel Herrera to the bench. Ruf will make his season debut after hitting .235 with three home runs and eight RBI in 102 at-bats in 2014.