MLB Player News

Astros slugger Chris Carter went deep for the 15th time this season Friday in Chicago. Carter added a double.

He went 2 for 4 as the HR was a solo blast in the seventh inning off starter Matt Garza. He has 38 RBI.

Carter has gone 6 for 18 (.333) over his last five games with a homer and two RBI. He's also struck out eight times over that stretch.

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera was taking grounders prior to Friday's game, another sign that he is making progress and could be back by the end of June.

"Asdrubal is doing terrific," Indians manager Terry Francona told MLB.com. "He's going to do all baseball activities, and he's going to go with us to Baltimore. The anticipation is actually, when we get through that Baltimore series, he might be pretty darned close to being cleared to play."

Cabrera's first choice is not to go on a minor-league rehab assignment, in which case he could be back by the start of a series in Chicago June 28. However, Leyland told reporters that Cabrera is willing to go down to the minors if that is what the team wants.

"He's great about it," Francona said. "He said, 'I'll do whatever you want. I really don't want to do [a Minor League rehab assignment], but I'll do it if you want me to.' We'll kind of see where we're at and see what's in his best interest."

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera took grounders and hit Friday.

Cabrera has been out since June 3 with a strained quad. He's planning on traveling to Baltimore with the team, and could return following their series with the Orioles. Cabrera was hitting .254/.311/.434 prior to the injury.

Indians catcher Carlos Santana will DH Friday. 

Yan Gomes will take Santana's place at catcher. Santana will hit fourth against Twins' pitcher Samuel Deduno. He's hitting .281/.388/.489 in 231 at-bats.

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (quad) is expected to take batting practice Friday for the first time since he landed on the disabled list June 4, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. 

Cabrera, out with a right quad strain, could be cleared to return to the roster for the Indians in around two weeks. He hit in the batting cages and ran in the outfield Monday. 

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who has been on the DL since June 4 with a strained right quad muscle, ran in the outfield Monday, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Cabrera also hit in the cage for the first time since suffering his injury.

"I feel good, really good," Cabrera said. "I could be a week, but no more than 10 days away. But we have to see how things go. I hope to be back soon."

Astros first baseman/outfielder Chris Carter had two hits, including his sixth double, and scored once in four at-bats Sunday against the White Sox. It was his first multi-hit game since May 18.

Carter hit .184 (14 for 76) with three doubles, five home runs and 13 RBI in 24 games between multi-hit games.

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (quad) played catch in the outfield Saturday, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. Cabrera has been shut down since going on the DL earlier in the month. 

The Indians hope Cabrera can return some time before the All-Star break. 

Indians catcher Carlos Santana will DH Tuesday against the Rangers.

Santana is hitting a solid .283/.386/.483 this year. Yan Gomes will fill in and hit eighth against Derek Holland. Santana should return behind the plate Wednesday against Nick Tepesch. 

Opposing defenses may have to start reconsidering defensive shifts on Indians catcher Carlos Santana. According to the Akron Beacon Journal, Santana is tied for the team lead in bunt hitswith two. A swtich-hitter, teams put the shift on Santana when he's batting lefty, allowing him to bunt down the third-base side and reach first safely. 

"I had to learn bunting," Santana told the Journal. "I practice all the time."

Santana has two bunting guidelines -- only bunt when nobody's on and only against the shift. Manager Terry Francona has said that the strategy is fine with him because Santana isn't risking his swing mechanics to beat the shift. 

Santana is hitting .283, with eight home runs and 17 doubles. He's hitting .275 against right-handed pitchers.