MLB Player News

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. 

Tigers manager Jim Leyland told MLive.com that he will not rest Miguel Cabrera over the final week of the regular season, unless his third baseman's health dictates otherwise. Leyland said, "I'm not taking him out, unless he feels like he's so sore that he needs a day. Other than that, I won't take him out."

A sore groin had caused Cabrera to miss Sunday's game against the White Sox, and Leyland had previously expressed some concern about having his star hitter playing hurt.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes throwing session to test out his shoulder went well, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. 

It looks like Cespedes will be able to play in the outfield during the team's upcoming games with the Mariners. He had been used primarily as a designated hitter over the past few games.

Cespedes is hitting .242/.297/.448 in 520 at-bats.

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller was back in action Monday against Kansas City for the first time since Sept. 14. Miller returned from a strained hamstring to lead off for Seattle.

Miller went 0 for 4 with two walks and a run scored. He also struck out twice and is batting .259 on the season. The 23-year-old has six homers and 31 RBI over 286 at-bats.

Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera returned to action following missing a game due to groin soreness on Monday against the Twins in Minnesota. 

Cabrera took back the RBI lead with his 137th in the game on a single in the seventh inning. He finished 2 for 4 and is batting .350 on the year. 

Cabrera has gone 7 for 16 over a four-game hitting streak and he's recorded an RBI in three straight games. 

Mets infielder Justin Turner remains out of action due to a hamstring injury. Turner hasn't played since Sept. 10 and there is no timetable for his return as of this point. Turner is batting .273 on the year over 187 at-bats with two homers and 15 RBI. 

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes will test out his injured right shoulder by throwing Monday, the Oakland Tribune reports.

Cespedes has been limited to being the designated hitter lately for the A's. Manager Bob Melvin wants him to play multiple games in left field before the end of the regular season.

For the first time since Sept. 14, shortstop Brad Miller was in the Mariners' starting lineup, as he was listed as the leadoff hitter for Monday's game against the Royals.

Miller, who has been out with a strained hamstring, last appeared in Saturday's game at the Angels as a pinch hitter.