MLB Player News

Judging by my Twitter feed, Fantasy owners are at a breaking point with Carlos Santana, and I don't understand why.

Oh, I get that he's batting .157, and that's not good. But I don't think anyone who drafted him expected better than a .260 hitter. And I don't think anyone expected the route to .260 to be an even one from start to finish.

Just look at the way Santana's 2013 went. He had a month-long stretch beginning in early May in which he hit .169. He had a 13-game stretch a couple weeks later in which he hit .146 and a 14-game stretch in August in which he hit .115

He was the same player he is now -- or worse, actually -- off and on throughout last season and still ended up hitting a career-high .268. The only difference now is he's doing it when everyone's paying attention.

He's offered excuses, but he didn't just start bouncing around the diamond this year, and his groin isn't sore enough to require a day off. To me, those just make for better headlines than the most obvious one of all: That's baseball.

If I owned Santana, I'd stick with him and take solace in knowing that even at his worst, he's still able to reach base at a .350 clip. Most players can't say that.

Theories about the early-season struggles of embattled Indians cleanup hitter Carlos Santana have gone from the mental to the physical.

He had admitted that a position change that has him serving as the starting third baseman and backup catcher had affected him at the plate. It has since been revealed that he is dealing with a sore left groin, per the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Santana had his thigh wrapped after the Wednesday game in Detroit, but insisted on playing Thursday, when he experienced yet another 0 for 4. He has just one hit in his last 27 at-bats and just one RBI on the season.

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu was not in the team's starting lineup Thursday against the Red Sox. 

Abreu has just one hit over his last 25 at-bats, and was likely being given a day of rest to get his mind right. Abreu is hitting .217 in 60 at-bats. Paul Konerko will play first base in his absence. 

Twins outfielder Chris Colabello reached base three times Thursday against the Blue Jays.

Colabello struck out in his first at-bat, but turned things around quickly. He walked, then singled in his next two at-bats. In his fourth chance, Colabello struck against Todd Redmond, hitting a two-run double. 

Colabello finished the game 2 for 3, with one run and one RBI.

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu is mired in a 1 for 25 slump, according to ESPN.

Abreu collected one hit April 13, but that has been sandwiched between a four game stretch in which he has gone hitless. Abreu has seen fewer fastballs than most players, which is likely a sign pitchers are trying to get him out with breaking stuff. Most hitters experience a period of adjustment after they reach the majors, and Abreu will attempt to do so in the coming days.

Indians infielder Carlos Santana went 0 for 4 as the team's designated hitter in the Indians' 3-2 win over the Tigers Wednesday. He said after the game that a sore groin has been affecting his hitting, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Santana has just one hit in 23 at-bats over his last six games to drop his line to .170/.361/.213. However, he has been able to draw 14 walks despite only eight of his batted balls falling for hits.

Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun will be sidelined four-to-six weeks due to a bad ligament sprain in his ankle, the Orange County Register reports.

Calhoun suffered the injury running the bases Tuesday and was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday. He has hit .222/.276/.426 with two home runs, four RBI and two stolen bases in 54 at-bats.

The Angels placed outfielder Kole Calhoun on the 15-day disabled list with an ankle injury Wednesday and recalled outfielder Brennan Boesch from Triple-A Salt Lake.

Calhoun twisted the ankle Tuesday trying to beat a ground ball to first base. He's hit .222/.276/.426 with two home runs, four RBI and two stolen bases in 54 at-bats.

Boesch has turned in similar statistics to Calhoun at the Triple-A level this season, hitting .250/.308/.479 with two home runs, nine RBI and one stolen base in 48 at-bats. He had just 51 at-bats with the Yankees last season after seeing regular action with the Tigers over the previous three seasons.

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.