MLB Player News

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt took some swings Tuesday after passing his concussion test the previous day, the San Jose Mercury News reports.

Belt could be cleared for game action this weekend, either on a rehab assignment or back with the Giants. He has been out since July 19 while recovering from his injury.

Chris Taylor could be wresting at-bats away from disappointing Brad Miller at shortstop for the Mariners. The former is in the lineup Tuesday against the host Indians. Taylor is starting for the second time in the last three games.

Taylor is 3 for 8 since his promotion. Miller has four hits in his last 25 at-bats and his batting average has sunk to .203. He is also tied for the American League lead in errors at that position with 14.

Blue Jays second baseman Ryan Goins enjoyed a productive night at the plate Monday night against the Red Sox.

Goins singled in the second, singled in two runs in the fourth, doubled in one more in the sixth and reached on an infield single in the eighth. He finished 4 for 5 with a run scored and four RBI in a comfortable 14-1 victory in Boston. He owns a .212/.247/.306 slash line with one home run and eight RBI in 85 at-bats.

The Royals have assigned newly acquired pitcher Liam Hendricks to Triple-A Omaha, FOX Sports Kansas City reports. Erik Kratz, who was also acquired in the Danny Valencia trade, will join the big-league team Tuesday. The Royals have also recalled shortstop Christian Colon and designated catcher Brett Hayes for assignment.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt passed his concussion test Monday, according to the Mercury News.

Belt said he feels good, and is hoping to begin baseball activities soon. He's been sidelined since July 19 due to the injury. Belt is hitting .242/.304/.455 over 165 at-bats. There's still no timetable for his return.

Brilliant numbers are not necessarily typical numbers for Tigers stud first baseman Miguel Cabrera. He's batting .309 with 16 home runs, 81 RBI and .895 OPS. But he is scuffling in comparison to the stats he compiled before being slowed by abdominal issues in the second half of last season that required surgery.

Brad Ausmus recognizes that. "He's scuffling a little bit right now," he told the Detroit News. "I think he's been a little frustrated all year. Post-surgery - everything's not in sync. I think surgery is the root cause of it. It can take time. I think there are side effects from all of that."

Cabrera is hitless in his last nine at-bats and has just 16 home runs this season after slugging 44 in each of his last two years. His .531 slugging percentage is more than 100 points off what he compiled in 2013.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes enjoyed a productive night at the dish Sunday against the Rangers.

Cespedes broke the game open with a two-run double in the fifth inning. He added a single and finished 2 for 5 with a run scored and two RBI in a 9-3 victory. He owns a .256/.305/.465 slash line with 17 homers and 65 RBI in 387 at-bats.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt is still dealing with concussion-like symptoms, according to CSN.

Belt will be examined by a specialist Sunday afternoon. There's no timetable for his recovery at this time. Belt was hitting .242/.304/.455 over 165 at-bats prior to the injury.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was one of four Oakland players to hit a home run during Saturday's 5-1 win at Texas.

Cespedes combined with John Jaso to hit back-to-back home runs off Nick Tepesch in the sixth inning. Jaso gave Oakland a 2-1 lead with a two-run homer, and then Cespedes put Oakland up 3-1 with his 17th home run this season. It was his third in three games.

Cespedes has hit safely in seven straight games out of the All-Star break. He is batting .345 (10 for 29) with two doubles, three home runs, seven RBI, seven runs and one stolen base in that span.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy told reporters that first baseman Brandon Belt is making progress and is "feeling much better" in his recovery from post-concussion symptoms, according to the Bay Area News Group on Friday.

Belt has yet to be cleared to begin physical activities. He owns owns a .242/.304/.455 slash line with 10 homers and 23 RBI in 165 at-bats before the injury.