MLB Player News

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes will serve as the team's designated hitter Saturday against the Red Sox. 

Cespedes' leg is still not 100 percent, and he'll take an opportunity to get some rest. Cespedes is hitting .261 in 92 at-bats.

Rockies center fielder and leadoff hitter Charlie Blackmon not only remained torrid at the plate Friday night against the Mets, but he matched his 2013 home run total in the process.

Blackmon slugged his sixth home run in 108 at-bats after doing the same in 246 at-bats last season. He hit a solo blast in the seventh and added two singles in raising his average to .380 and slugging percentage to .630.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley clubbed his fifth home run Friday against the White Sox.

Brantley took an 85 mph cutter from John Danks out to right field to lead off the fifth inning. He had already collected a single during the contest. The following inning, Brantley added another single, which drove in a run. 

He finished the contest 3 for 5, with two runs scored and three RBI.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen collected three hits Saturday against the Blue Jays.

McCutchen worked an eight-pitch at-bat in the first inning, eventually hitting a double. He would be left stranded at second base. McCutchen singled in a run in his next at-bat, and later singled again in the bottom of the fifth inning. He also stole his fourth base of the year following the hit. 

McCutchen finished the game 3 for 5, with no runs scored and two RBI. He's hitting .309 in 110 at-bats. 

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes played the field for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury. He returned to the lineup Tuesday as a designated hitter and is now no longer hampered by the injury, manager Bob Melvin told MLB.com on Friday.

"That's why we kind of took it easy the first couple of days," said manager Bob Melvin. "You never know until he actually gets out there, but we feel like he's ready to go."

The Dodgers are using the second game of a doubleheader and a game in an American League city Thursday to get little-used players some action.

Scott Van Slyke is set to play in left with Justin Turner starting at short. Hanley Ramirez will be used as the designated hitter. Outfielders Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford are set to sit after playing in the opener.

Marlins Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna extended his hitting streak to six games in a big way Wednesday, as he drove in three runs in a 9-3 win over the Braves.

Ozuna did much of his damage in his first at-bat, as he clubbed a three-run home run to right field to put the Marlins up early. He finished the game 2 for 4 with two strikeouts overall.

Ozuna is off to a strong start in his second season, hitting .310/.364/.480 through his first 100 at-bats. 

Indians top hitter Michael Brantley, who has been slumping on the current road trip, is out of the lineup for the game Wednesday against the Angels. He is apparently just getting a rest day, per the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Mike Aviles is set to take his spot in left field.

A hitless weekend in San Francisco cooled off torrid Indians left fielder Michael Brantley and he has remained rather chilly.

Brantley finally ended a hitless streak that had reached 17 at-bats with an opposite-field double Tuesday night against the Angels. His batting average has dropped from .296 to .255 over the last five games. But he remains tied for seventh in the American League with 20 RBI.

Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said Tuesday outfielder Darin Ruf (oblique) has been taking batting practice and is expected to begin playing in extended spring games by the end of the week.