MLB Player News

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley returned to action Friday against the Tigers.

Brantley made a pinch hit appearance later in the game. With his team trailing in the ninth, Brantley worked a five-pitch at-bat before hitting a single to center. He advanced to second on defensive indifference, and was left stranded. Brantley has been dealing with a concussion, but is expected to return Saturday. The fact that he was used as a pinch hitter Friday bodes well for his chances of starting Saturday's game.

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez belted his seventh home run Friday against the Indians.

Martinez stepped to the plate in the eighth inning with two men on base. He homered on the first pitch he saw from John Axford, taking a 95 mph fastball out to right. Martinez also singled and doubled earlier in the game. He finished 3 for 4, with one run scored and three RBI. 

Martinez is hitting .317 over 104 at-bats.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley took part in a normal pregame routine Friday, as he continues to work his way back from a mild concussion.

Brantley will go through a normal pregame routine Saturday before being checked out by doctors one last time according to MLB.com. If he is cleared, he will be in the lineup against the Tigers, after missing four games as a result of the issue.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was feeling some pain in his surgically repaired left thumb Friday, but that is not a reason to be concern, as manager Matt Williams told ESPN.com.

"[That pain] is to be expected, because he's doing a lot of strength stuff," Williams said. "But he was able to swing today with no issues and drive the ball. So he's right on schedule."

Harper took part in batting and fielding practice for the second straight day Friday, and could go on a minor-league rehab assignment once the team's current home stand ends.

"Once we get on the road, he could head out and get started with that process," Williams said.

Harper could be back in the lineup for the Nationals by the first of July, assuming he avoids any setbacks. 

Dodgers infielder Justin Turner is back in the starting lineup Friday against the Padres for the first time since June 12, as he has recovered from a calf injury. Turner has been limited to pinch-hitting over the last week. 

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley will hit on the field Friday, according to MLB.com.

Brantley is be re-evaluated following his on-field performance. If cleared, he would return to the lineup Saturday. Brantley is hitting .323/.391/.519 over 266 at-bats.

Matt Williams said that both outfielder Bryce Harper and catcher Wilson Ramos could be on the verge of heading out on rehab assignments.

Williams told the Nationals website that Ramos (hamstring) could embark on his rehab as early as this weekend with Harper (thumb) going out next week.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley was not in the team's starting lineup Friday.

Brantley is still recovering from a concussion. He's not expected to play until Saturday at the earliest. In 266 at-bats, Brantley is hitting .323/.391/.519.

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez completely overhauled his swing during the offseason, according to FoxSports.com.

Martinez watched video of both Miguel Cabrera and Ryan Braun, and attempted to take things from their swings. He worked with a personal hitting coach for three weeks, and then tested his new approach in Venezuela. "If you watch video of me in the past, it’s the complete opposite — it’s that extreme," Martinez said. "It’s kind of like I reinvented myself."

Martinez is hitting .300/.333/.570 over 100 at-bats.

With Torii Hunter sidelined by a hamstring injury, J.D. Martinez has started seven of the last eight games for the Tigers and has certainly made the most of the opportunity, batting .400 (12 for 30) with three homers. He now has six homers in 100 at-bats, which for most players would obviously be too good to be true, but maybe not for one who has routinely trounced the minor leagues, batting .332 with a .942 OPS over six seasons.

In other words, you're right to be intrigued. At age 26, Martinez isn't beyond a breakout even if his previous stints in the majors all ended in disappointment. Just look at Lonnie Chisenhall.

Unfortunately, Martinez has even clearer threats to his playing time than Chisenhall. His latest home run Thursday was just his third hit of any kind off a left-handed pitcher, giving him a .094 (3 for 32) batting average against them. Rajai Davis, meanwhile, has always hit lefties well, batting .295 for his career and .302 this year.

Austin Jackson isn't sitting, so where does that leave Martinez when Hunter returns Sunday? In a platoon, most likely.

As mixed-league owners are finding out with Corey Dickerson, platoon players don't make for the most reliable starters in Fantasy. I'm not bothering with Martinez outside of AL-only leagues.