MLB Player News

Astros outfielder J.D. Martinez was taken out of Monday's game after making a mental error at the plate.

Martinez admitted after the game that he did not follow the club's game strategy, swinging at the first pitch he saw. Martinez has been playing while Fernando Martinez is on the disabled list.

Astros outfielder J.D. Martinez hit cleanup Monday night in Seattle. He hit in the four hole 32 times last year, reports MLB.com.

"I've always considered myself a heart-of-the-order-type hitter," he said. "I've always been that since the first time they put me in when I first got called up. I played one game in the six-hole and the next day I was in the three-hole or four-hole. I'm comfortable hitting here. I like it more because there's guys on base more. You're in more of an RBI spot and a pressure spot."

Martinez entered Monday's game having gone 3 for 8 in his first two starts after starting the year 0 for 3 as a reserve in Houston's first three games.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt may only have one hit thus far, but his manager still has confidence in his abilities, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Bruce Bochy said that Belt's struggles may have warranted a stern talk in season's past, but he's less concerned about the first baseman this year. Bochy credits that to Belt's experience, saying "he knows he can hit. He had a great spring. He's thrown out some good at-bats. That's the reason I don't need to talk to him and sit him down."

Bochy has been willing to pull Belt out of the lineup in the past, but that doesn't seem to be the case this season. While he's struggled to get things started, Belt should have enough time to turn things around. That's not a luxury he had in the past. 

Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter enjoyed another solid performance as he plated three runs in Sunday's series finale against the Giants.

Carpenter erupted in the fourth inning with two singles, one of which drove in two runs to help cap off a nine-run frame. He also added an RBI double in the eighth and finished 3 for 5 with three runs scored and three RBI in a 14-3 victory. He is hitting .320/.414/.480 through his first six games.

After posting a career-high 31 homers last season, Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen connected on his first long ball of 2013 in Sunday's series finale against the Dodgers.

He launched a two-run shot off starter Hyun-Jin Ryu in his first at-bat and finished 1 for 4 in the 6-2 loss. McCutchen is batting .238 (5 for 21) with four RBI and four stolen bases through six games.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was expected to rest his ailing elbow Sunday in Houston. Cespedes didn't start the game but was needed after Josh Reddick was injured. 

Cespedes entered the game in left field and Seth Smith shifted to right in his place. Cespedes went 0 for 2 and is hitting .120. 

He could have used the complete day off considering he's 3 for 25 and 0 for 11 in his last three games with five strikeouts. 

Astros outfielder J.D. Martinez got the start in left field Sunday in a home game against the Athletics. He hit third in the order and had a base hit. 

Martinez went 1 for 4 with a run scored in the 9-3 loss. The 25-year-old, who has started the last two games, has gone 3 for 8 without an RBI. He's hitting .273 in 11 at-bats. 

Here we go again with Brandon Belt. After a torrid spring, one in which he hit .410 with eight homers and 19 RBI in 24 games, Belt is off to a slow start to the regular season, going hitless in his first 10 at-bats (three games).

Although I still believe Fantasy owners should hang onto Belt, there's no need to rush him into lineups for Week 2 (April 8-14). The Giants might have seven games, but they are set to face three left-handed starters -- Jorge De La Rosa, Jeff Francis and Travis Wood. History tells us Belt struggles against left-handed starters, against whom he has a career .235 average with three homers and 11 RBI in 64 games. Also, the three games against the Rockies this week are not at Coors Field.

Matt Carpenter will get the start at second base for the Cardinals Sunday, the club announced.

Carpenter has played all five games for St. Louis this season at third base. He's expected to take over full time at second base when David Freese returns from the disabled list. Ty Wigginton gets the start at third base Sunday.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, who has dealt with some elbow discomfort, was given Sunday's game in Houston off to rest, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. 

Cespedes tweaked the elbow during a swing in Saturday's game, but the A's claim he's sitting Sunday due to rest and not due to the injury. Cespedes was not listed on the trainer's report as an injury. 

A day off makes sense for Cespedes, who has gone 1 for 12 over the last three games with six strikeouts. He's batting .130 this season overall with two homers and five RBI among his three total hits. 

He should get back in the lineup Tuesday in Los Angeles after the team has a day off Monday.