MLB Player News

Rays shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera has hit in four straight games and five of the first six games of the season. Despite hitting .320, Cabrera needs to cut down on his strikeouts. He's fanned seven times in 25 at bats so far this year. 

Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun was held out of the starting lineup Monday against the Rangers for a second straight day due to a calf injury. Collin Cowgill received a second straight start in right field in Calhoun's absence.

Calhoun said he is expected to be back in the lineup Tuesday, per The Orange County Register. He said he has been bothered by the calf injury for more than a week.

Calhoun is batting .200 (4 for 20) with one home run, two runs, two doubles, four RBI and five strikeouts in five games.

The White Sox have not ruled out the idea of slugger Jose Abreu playing third base, particulary in interleague games, per ESPN.com. 

Abreu, normally a first baseman or designated hitter, said he has experience playing third, and manager Robin Ventura said he could see Abreu playing there in an emergency situation or to keep both he and Adam LaRoche in the lineup at National League parks. 

"He actually looks good at third; he moves around very well and has done it," Ventura said. 

Abreu battled foot and ankle injury for most of last season, but said he is feeling much better this year and has been taking grounders at third during pregame warmups. 

Angels right fielder Kole Calhoun is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals.

Calhoun went 2 for 4 with a double, a home run and three RBI Saturday. The Angels will use shortstop Erick Aybar as the leadoff man with Calhoun on the bench, and Collin Cowgill will play right field and bat seventh Sunday. The Angels are also starting Taylor Featherston over Johnny Giavotella at second base.

The Angels are favorites (-115) against the Royals Sunday.

Astros first baseman Chris Carter is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

Carter has had trouble getting things going in the first week of the season, and he's just 1 for 19 with one walk and eight strikeouts. The team will start Marwin Gonzalez at first base Sunday.

The Astros are road favorites (-120) against the Rangers Sunday.

Indians catcher Brett Hayes will join the major-league roster Tuesday to serve as the team's backup catcher while Yan Gomes recovers from a knee sprain, MLB.com reports.

Hayes hit just .135/.151/.212 in 52 at-bats with the Royals last season. First baseman Carlos Santana will be the team's emergency catcher Sunday if Roberto Perez can't go the full game.

Angels right fielder Kole Calhoun hit the second pitch of the game for a leadoff home run in Saturday's 6-4 loss to Kansas City. 

Calhoun went two for four, scoring twice and driving in three. In addition to his first homer, he hit his second double of the year. The performance lifted his average to .200 on the season. 

Angels outfielder Matt Joyce was given the night off against Kansas City left-hander Jason Vargas. It's the second time this season he's been given a game off against a southpaw. Joyce has just one hit in his first eight at-bats this season.

"He's going to do it [hit against lefties]," hitting coach Baylor said of Joyce, per the Orange County Register. "He's going to be an important factor for us, no doubt. He's got too good of a swing."

Collin Cowgill took his spot in left field and is batting eighth. Meanwhile, David Freese will bat in the cleanup spot, with C.J. Cron fifth.

Astros manager A.J. Hinch chose to roll with Jonathan Villar at third base and Robbie Grossman in left field Friday night against left-hander Derek Holland and the Rangers, per MLB.com. Luis Valbuena and Colby Rasmus received a day off against the southpaw.

Hinch also flip-flopped struggling DH Evan Gattis and Chris Carter in the batting order. Gattis has started his stint with the Astros 0 for 11 with eighth strikeouts. He will hit fifth, while Carter will move to the cleanup spot.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley returned to the starting lineup and is batting third, behind Jason Kipnis and ahead of Carlos Santana on Friday against the Tigers, according to the Northeast Ohio Media Group.

Brantley was sidelined the previous two games with lower back stiffness. He has been held without a hit in four at-bats this season.

Manager Terry Francona told reporters he may sprinkle in some off days for Brantley in the near future after the outfielder acknowledged he's still experiencing some lower back discomfort, per MLB.com.

"We'll keep an eye on him," Francona said. "If he needs a day off or something, we can certainly do that. But we don't ever want to turn something that could be a day or two into two weeks. But it's nice having him in the lineup, that's for sure."