MLB Player News

Terry Francona expressed concern Wednesday about a remark made by Carlos Santana in which he claimed that juggling positions has affected him at the plate.

"If that's how he feels, I'm going to have to sit down and talk to him," Francona told WTAM-AM.

Santana plays mostly third base for the Indians, but also serves as the backup catcher. He has historically hit better when he's been the designated hitter.

Carlos Santana asked in the offseason to play third base to avoid being relegated to full-time designated hitter duties, but has admitted his concentration on defense has affected his hitting, per WTAM-1100.

Santana ended a 0-for-19 slide Sunday, but has been a mess at the plate since spring training began. He is still among the league leaders in walks with 14, but his stat line of .196/.383/.233 is not what the Indians are looking for in their cleanup hitter.

Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun suffered what appears to be a serious injury to his right leg late Tuesday, and it could be one that costs him considerable time.

According to MLB.com, Calhoun will be placed on the disabled list Wednesday with an ankle injury, suffered when he twisted the ankle running through first base trying to beat out a grounder. He had to be helped off the field and could hardly put weight on it as he was helped off the field.

The extent of the injury is not yet known, but it is serious enough to keep him out at least two weeks. Calhoun was batting .250/.297/.500 in his first 14 appearances of the season. 

Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun put together a big game Tuesday against the A's, but it didn't end how he wanted as he limped off the field in the bottom of the 11th inning.

Calhoun hit his third home run of the season in the fourth inning, a two-run shot, and added two more hits and three runs scored overall. He went 3 for 6, but left the game in extra innings after appearing to tweak his ankle running through first base.

Calhoun needed a lot of help to get off the field, which isn't a good sign. No update was known on his status prior to the finish of the game, and he will likely be considered ay to day moving forward.  

Twins outfielder Chris Colabello went 2 for 3 with a double and three RBI in his team's 10-1 win over the Royals Friday.

Colabello has been excellent in the first two weeks of the season, overcoming an 11:1 K:BB ratio to hit .308/.341/.513 with one home run and 14 RBI in 39 at-bats. He's the coleader in RBI in the majors along with White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu.

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu had another monster game at the plate on Thursday registering his second multi-home run game of the season in a 7-3 win over the Indians.

Abreu took Danny Salazar deep for a solo home run in the second inning and Josh Outman deep for a two-run shot in the fifth inning. He finished 2 for 4 with two runs scored and three RBI.

Abreu has six hits in his last 13 at-bats with four homers and eight RBI over that span. He has 14 RBI in his first 10 games, the most by a White Sox player in his first 10 games since Ron Kittle had 14 in 1983.

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera was back at the leadoff spot on Thursday, and recorded his second consecutive two-hit game, including his first home run of the season in a 7-3 loss to the White Sox in Chicago.

Cabrera took John Danks deep for a solo home run in the third inning. He added a double and finished 2 for 4 with two runs scored and one RBI. He is hitting .200 (7 for 35) with one home run and two RBI in 10 games.

Astros DH Chris Carter recorded his first RBI on a groundout during Wednesday's 7-3 loss to the Blue Jays. It's been a slow start for Carter, who is batting .185 (5 for 27) through eight games.

Carter does have four doubles, but he has no home runs and has struck out 13 times in 27 at-bats. Carter has drawn three walks.

Slumping shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera has been dropped to eighth in the Indians lineup for the nightcap of the Wednesday doubleheader against the Padres.

Cabrera went 0-for-4 in the first game. He has just one hit in his last 19 at-bats and a .111 batting average on the season. He became so frustrated in the opener that he slammed his helmet to the ground after grounding out.

Yan Gomes will not have to crouch behind the plate again in the doubleheader nightcap for the Indians on Wednesday. But he will serve as the designated hitter against San Diego left-hander Robbie Erlin while Carlos Santana takes over as the starting catcher.