MLB Player News

Blue Jays second baseman Ryan Goins hit his second home run of the year on Saturday in the second to last game of the season against Tampa Bay. Goins went deep in the fifth inning for a two-run homer. 

The second baseman went 1 for 4 with two RBI in the game and is nowbatting .263 on the season for the Jays. 

The 25-year-old Goins has at least one base hit in nine straight games and has five RBI over that span. 

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, who left Friday's game with a shoulder issue, could not start Saturday at Seattle, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The A's won't know more about Cespedes' issue until he attempts to throw. That is not likely to be Saturday. 

A's outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was forced out of Friday game against the Mariners with a sore right shoulder. Cespedes had previously been dealing with this injury, which has caused him to serve as a designated hitter. He is hitting .240 with 26 homers and 80 RBI in 529 at-bats.

Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera will be out of the lineup Sunday against Miami, MLB.com reports. Cabrera has had his struggles in September and the Tigers want to make sure he's as fresh as possible for the playoffs.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is still not a candidate to be dealt, according to MLB.com.

A source said they "don't see any scenario" where Stanton is dealt during the offseason. The team has been adament about retaining Stanton, but every couple of months the story seems to be re-visited. Stanton is due arbitration, and will likely sign a one-year deal in order to keep his long-term options open.

Stanton is hitting .249/.367/.484 in 413 at-bats.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley led off with Michael Bourn injured Wednesday against the White Sox. Brantley had a big game for Cleveland. 

Brantley went 3 for 5 with a double and an RBI. He scored a run and is batting .286 for the year for Cleveland. 

The 26-year-old has recorded three consecutive three-hit games for the Tribe. He's gone 9 for 13 over that span with five RBI. That said, Brantley has hit in nine straight contests and has two homers and eight RBI over that stretch. 

Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon homered Tuesday during an 8-3 win over the Red Sox. Blackmon hit his sixth home run of the season to lead off the game for the Rockies against John Lackey in the first inning.

The leadoff hitter went 2 for 4 with a walk and stole his seventh base in the game. He scored twice and is batting .314 on the year.

The 27-year-old has hit in nine straight games and has six consecutive multi-hit performances. Over his nine-game hitting streak, Blackmon has gone 22 for 44 (.500) with six doubles, two homers and six RBI. He's raised his average from .270 over that stretch.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley filled up the stat sheet Tuesday, going 3 for 4 with a home run, two runs, two RBI and a stolen base in his team's 5-4 win over the White Sox.

Brantley has driven in two runs in each of his last three games and homered in two of his last three games. He currently is in the midst of an eight-game hitting streak. Brantley owns a .283/.332/.398 line with 10 home runs, 70 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 533 at-bats.

Marlins manager Mike Redmond told the Miami Herald Tuesday that outfielder Marcell Ozuna, who is out for the season with a ligament tear and a fracture in his left thumb, resumed baseball activities this week. He is expected to head into the offseason healthy.

"I didn't mention [Ozuna] yesterday, but he's been swinging the bat the last couple of days," Redmond said. "He looks great, has himself in good shape. It looks like his hand is feeling good. He swung the bat good. It's just a timing thing. I think for him too going into the off-season knowing he's feeling good is definitely a good sign. Now he can prepare himself for spring training and get himself ready to compete and win a job."

Ozuna batted .265/.303/.389 with three home runs and 32 RBI in 275 at-bats in 2013.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper blames himself for the team's inability to make the playoffs, according to NatsInsider.com.

Harper said missing a month of the season with a knee injury hurt the club. "I wasn’t there for a month," Harper said. "I’m not going to sit here and tell you that I’m a game-changer or anything like that, but we’re a great team and me being in this lineup is huge. I’ve got to try to be in this lineup every night." 

During the month Harper was out, the team went 15-16. He's hit .279/.374/.496 in 409 at-bats.