MLB Player News

Astros left fielder Chris Carter is back in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals. Carter pinch-hit in the last two games after missing a game with a minor hand injury.

Batting fourth Wednesday, Carter has hit .228/.323/.463 with 17 home runs, 46 RBI and a league-high 120 strikeouts in 281 at-bats.

Astros first baseman Chris Carter was held out the starting lineup for the third consecutive game Tuesday night against the Cardinals with a minor hand injury. Carter took part in batting practice Tuesday and could return soon, manager Bo Porter told MLB.com.

"I shook his hand. He said, 'It's OK for me to shake your hand, but if you squeeze, it hurts,'" Porter said. "He didn't really feel too many ill effects, but I think it's good for him to go through a full batting practice today."

Indians catcher Carlos Santana homered Sunday during a 9-6 win over Detroit. Santana took starter Doug Fister deep in the first inning for a two-run blast with two outs. 

Santana, who now has 11 HRs on the year, finished 1 for 4 with the two RBI. He's batting .266 for Cleveland. The 27-year-old has gone 5 for 17 over his last four games with four RBI. He has 40 RBI on the season. 

Astros outfielder/first baseman Chris Carter had a monster performance in a 4-1 win over the Rays Wednesday. Carter homered twice in the game. 

Carter went deep off starter Roberto Hernandez in the second inning. He added his 17th HR of the season in the seventh for a three-run blast off Jake McGee to give Houston the final score of 4-1. 

He finished 2 for 4 with all four RBI for the Astros. The two homers were Carter's second multi-HR game of the season. He also did it back on April 9 at Seattle. 

Indians catcher Carlos Santana is not in the lineup for Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader against the White Sox. 

Yan Gomes will play catcher and Nick Swisher will be the DH. Santana has started five of the last six games and probably wouldn't have been able to play both games of the doubleheader.

Santana is hitting .269/.380/.462 in 253 at-bats. 

Indians catcher Carlos Santana got some rest Wednesday as he was not in the starting lineup against the Orioles in Baltimore, MLB.com reports. Santana is dealing with a sore right knee, according to manager Terry Francona. 

That said, Francona insisted that Santana was sitting due to Cleveland playing four games this weekend against the White Sox, and not due to the injury. 

Santana, batting .273 on the year with 10 homers and 32 RBI, has gone just 3 for 21 (.143) over his last six games. 

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (quadriceps) was activated off the 15-day disabled list and returned to the starting lineup Wednesday against the Orioles, manager Terry Francona confirmed during an interview with MLB Network Radio.

Cabrera played in his first game Wednesday since June 3 against the Yankees.

"Asdrubal Cabrera is in the lineup tonight," Francona said. "I can't believe how fast he came back from this injury."

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (quadriceps) said he feels 100 percent and hopes to be activated off the disabled list for either Wednesday's or Thursday's game against the Orioles, according to MLB.com. Cabrera last appeared in a game June 3.

Cleveland shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who has a right quad injury, is doing extremely well at the moment, MLB.com reports. Manager Terry Francona believes he'll be activated soon. 

Cabrera has been taking grounders and may not need an injury rehab assignment. The Indians have not yet decided if he'll go on one or not. 

Astros first baseman Chris Carter pounded out four hits Sunday against the Cubs, which included a career-high three doubles. He added two runs and two RBI.

"It was good to see him drive the ball the other way," Astros manager Bo Porter said. "He's been doing that this last week or so and it's coming together."

Carter is batting .342 (13 for 38) with two home runs, seven doubles, seven RBI and eight runs in his last 10 games.