MLB Player News

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez followed up his first home run of the season Monday with another blast Wednesday, going 2 for 5 with two walks, one home run and three RBI in his team's 11-10 loss to the Indians.

Martinez has been extremely hot over his last three games, going 5 for 10 with a double, two home runs and four RBI. The offensive surge gives him a .267/.333/.489 line with two home runs and 10 RBI in 45 at-bats.

Indians left fielder Michael Brantley has emerged as a power hitter this season for the first time in his career, but not by changing his swing or approach. The result is that he appears destined to represent the team in the All-Star Game.

An injury to Jason Kipnis and lack of production from others in the lineup have forced Brantley to take over the third spot, but he has continued to thrive. His nine home runs this season is just one short of the career-high he set last season. He is also on pace for about 125 RBI - not bad considering his previous best was 73. He has also fanned just 16 times in 165 at-bats.

"It's fun to watch," Terry Francona told MLB.com when asked about Brantley's increased power numbers. "I think his base is stronger - his legs. As good hitter get to know themselves throughout the league, sometimes that evolves into more productiom. ... I don't think you see him selling out to hit home runs. It's just balls that maybe used to be doubles, he's starting to drive over the fence, which is great to see."

Brantley, who signed a four-year extension with the Indians in February, owns an impressive stat line of .291/.362/.515.

Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera has been tossed from the Wednesday game in Cleveland by home plate umpire Tim Timmons for arguing a strike call in the sixth inning. Don Kelly took his place at the plate.

Teammate Ian Kinsler fanned on the previous pitch when Timmons ruled he had gone around. Kinsler appeared upset. Timmons declined to check with the first-place umpire on what looked like a checked swing on the replay.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper will begin doing range of motion exercises soon, according to MASN. 

Harper will see an occupational therapist soon, and could begin strengthening exercises. It would be the first step in Harper's rehab process. The news will not change his injury timeline. Harper hit .289 in 83 at-bats prior to the injury.

Cubs outfield prospect Jorge Soler is dealing with a hamstring injury again, according to MLB.com.

Soler injured his left hamstring during spring training, and missed a considerable amount of time recovering from the injury. Now, he's dealing with a right hamstring strain. He's exepected to rehab at the team complex in Arizona. Soler has played in just seven games due to the injuries. 

Phillies outfielder Darin Ruf has been called up Wednesday.

Ruf will take the roster spot of Cliff Lee, who was placed on the disabled list Tuesday night. Ruf has hit .265 over 46 at-bats in the minors. 

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller has struggled to open the season, leading some to call for him to be sent to the minors, according to the Tacoma News Tribune.

Miller has hit just .154 over 136 at-bats. There's a sense a minor-league stint could kick-start his bat, but the Mariners haven't made the move. That's possibly because infield prospect Chris Taylor fractured a finger recently. 

Taylor had gotten off to a nice start at Triple-A, hitting .372 over 145 at-bats. He would have been the most likely replacement for Miller in the majors. With Taylor hurt, Miller isn't likely to be shipped out.

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez tied things up in the ninth inning Monday by smacking a pinch-hit solo home run, but his team would go on to lose 5-4 in 10 innings.

Martinez drove his first home run of the season over the center-field wall on the second pitch he saw Monday to erase his team's deficit, but the Tigers weren't able to score again before the Indians' walkoff home run in the 10th inning. Martinez has hit .250/.295/.425 in 40 at-bats.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley went 2 for 4 with a walk and a walkoff home run in his team's 5-4, 10-inning win over the Tigers Monday.

Brantley came up with two outs and no one on in the bottom of the 10th inning and smacked a home run to right field to end the night for both teams. He has hit .292/.365/.522 with nine home runs and 33 RBI in 161 at-bats.

Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter reached base five times Sunday against the Braves.

Carpenter singled in his first at-bat before walking in his next three plate appearances. He added another single in his final at-bat. Carpenter finished 2 for 2, with one run scored and no RBI. Carpenter is hitting .265 in 170 at-bats.