MLB Player News

Indians outfielder and hitting machine Michael Brantley is apparently over his only slump of the season. He ripped three hits Friday night, including a first-inning double that set the lopsided win over Texas in motion.

Brantley, who is on pace to become the first Indian to pile up 200 hits in a season since Kenny Lofton achieved that distinction in 1996, has 10 hits in his last 26 at-bats.

The Twins have wasted no time throwing first base prospect Kennys Vargas into the fire. He is in the lineup Friday night against White Sox stud left-hander Chris Sale a day after his promotion.

Vargas skipped the Triple-A level in getting called up. He compiled a .281/.360/.472 stat line for Double-A New Britain this season with 17 home runs.

The slump experienced by Tigers surprising outfielder J.D. Martinez is apparently over. He homered, singled, walked and scored twice Thursday in a defeat to the White Sox.

Martinez has rebounded from a 4-for-30 slide to slam five hits and score four runs in the last three games. He still boasts an impressive .325/.363/.605 this season.

The Twins have called up first base prospect Kennys Vargas Thursday to replace Sam Fuld on the active roster, as first reported by FOXSports.com.

Vargas, a 23-year-old, has 17 home runs at Double-A New Britain this season, after hitting 19 at Class A a year ago. He is hitting .281/.360/.472 in 356 at-bats overall. 

The Athletics have acquired the premiere starting pitcher on the trade market ahead of Thursday's deadline, as CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman has confirmed a trade involving Jon Lester moving to Oakland in exchange for Yoenis Cespedes.

WEEI.com reported the details of the deal first, which will likely also involves the Red Sox sending outfielder Jonny Gomes to the Athletics as well. The Red Sox will also receive a competitive balance draft pick, while the A's will receive cash from the Red Sox, according to Yahoo.com.

The Dodgers "haven't flat out said no" to trading one of their top three prospects for a player, as long as that player isn't due to be a free agent after the season, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Previous reports have said that outfielder Joc Pederson, third baseman Corey Seager and pitcher Julio Urias were off the table in trade talks, but that only applies to a rental like Jon Lester. The Phillies and Rays may be able to get the Dodgers to part with at least one of the team's top prospects in a deal for Cole Hamels or David Price, respectively, though neither trade has been reported to be in the works.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt increased his baseball-related activities Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Belt, who is recovering from a concussion, has been sidelined since July 19, but he could make his way back into the lineup at some point in the team's weekend series. The team has yet to decide whether he'll need a rehab assignment before returning.

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.