MLB Player News

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley's absence from the lineup Tuesday was due to concussion-like symptoms, but manager Terry Francona told MLB.com he hopes it will end up being just a precautionary move.

"He's going to go over for further testing, get some imaging [done], things like that," Francona said. "You have a head injury and you play and something happens, you're talking about something pretty serious. We're going to err on the side of caution."

Brantley passed all preliminary concussion tests following Monday's game, but started to feel symptoms while warming up Tuesday. He was sent to a local hospital for testing, and is day-to-day at this point. 

Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter is not in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mets.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said Tuesday that he has seen Carpenter fighting fatigue lately, MLB.com reports. Carpenter has started 69 of his team's first 70 games and played three innings in his only other time out of the starting lineup. The major-league leader in plate appearances, Carpenter has hit .283/.373/.370 with two home runs, 25 RBI and two stolen bases in 276 at-bats.

Dodgers infielder Justin Turner remained out of the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rockies.

Turner hasn't started since June 12 due to a calf injury, though he's been able to make a couple pinch-hit appearances during that stretch. He has hit .295/.346/.417 with three home runs, 19 RBI and two stolen bases in 139 at-bats.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley was initially announced as a starter Tuesday against the Angels, but was scratched from the lineup hours before first pitch due to head and neck soreness.

Brantley took a shot to the head Monday while sliding into second base, and is still dealing with the lingering effects.  He is at a local hospital undergoing testing, and is officially day to day at this point. 

Nationals manager Matt Williams said outfielder Bryce Harper (thumb) took batting practice Tuesday for the first time since undergoing surgery in late April, per The Washington Post. Williams reiterated July 1 as the best-case scenario for Harper's return.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley left Monday's game after taking a blow to the head while sliding into second base, but he was back in the lineup Tuesday against the Angels.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton hit a two-run homer in the first inning Monday, giving him 19 to lead the National League. Stanton went 2 for 5 with a walk and two runs scored.

Stanton, who has one more homer than Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki, also leads the NL with 56 RBI, five more than Arizona's Paul Goldschmidt.

Athletics left fielder Yoenis Cespedes cracked a three-run homer and had four RBI in Monday's 14-8 loss to the Rangers. Cespedes went 1 for 3 with a walk and a sacrifice fly, upping his average to .259/.309/.502.

Cespedes has 13 homers and 48 RBI in 259 at-bats.

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller went 1 for 3 with a walk and a solo home run in his team's 5-1 win over the Padres Monday.

Miller had hit just one home run since April 11 before knocking his second homer of June Monday. While he's been better at the plate this month, Miller still owns a .179/.250/.296 line with five home runs, 17 RBI and three stolen bases in 196 at-bats.

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez went 1 for 3 with a ninth-inning grand slam Monday, but it wasn't enough to avoid an 11-8 loss to the Royals.

Martinez took over for Torii Hunter, who left the game in the fourth inning with a hamstring cramp, and he pushed his team to within three runs with his home run in the ninth, but they would get no closer. Martinez has hit .270/.309/.494 with four home runs and 20 RBI in 89 at-bats.