MLB Player News

Marlins second baseman Donovan Solano batted second in Wednesday's loss to the Braves, picking up a single in four plate appearances. It was the eighth time in nine games Solano, who is hitting .290/.371/.323 in 35 plate appearances, reached base safely.

Indians catcher Carlos Santana was held out of the starting lineup for a second straight game Wednesday against the Yankees because of a bruised left thumb. Yan Gomes once again started in Santana's absence.

Astros outfielder Chris Carter belted two home runs, helping Houston defeat Seattle, 16-9, Tuesday. Carter's first home run was a solo shot off Kameron Loe in the second inning and his second home run was another solo blast off Oliver Perez in the ninth inning.

Carter finished with four hits in six at-bats. He came into the game with three hits in his first seven games. He also finished with three RBI. Carter is batting .219 (7 for 32) with 15 strikeouts and just one walk in eight games.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard entered Tuesday's game against the Mets on a 4-for-27 slump to start the season. He broke out of his mini-funk in a big way with his first home run of the season.

Howard took starter Dillon Gee deep for a his first extra-base hit of the season -- a solo shot in the third inning. He finished 1 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI in an 8-3 victory.

The 33-year-old upped his average to .161 through his eight games.

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera uncorked his second home run of the season during Tuesday's contest against the Yankees.

Cabrera took starter Andy Pettitte deep for a solo shot in the sixth inning. It was the only run the Indians could muster. He finished 1 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI in a 14-1 defeat.

Cabrera is hitting .133/.235/.367 with two home runs and three RBI through his first three games.

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo has been watching video and taking extra cuts in the batting cage in order to break out of his slump, ESPN.com reports.

Although he has two homers with five RBI through seven games, the 23-year-old entered Tuesday's game against the Brewers batting .160 (4 for 25).

“I have to go with the approach I had in Triple-A,” Rizzo said. “I need to take a lot of those fastballs I am seeing to left field. Also must gear up for the changeup and take them up the middle.”

Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun underwent surgery to repair a fractured right hamate bone Tuesday, the team announced. He's expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks.

Calhoun, 25, batted .174 with an RBI in 21 games in the majors last season.

Indians manager Terry Francona said catcher Carlos Santana is day-to-day with a bruised left thumb, an injury he suffered Monday against the Yankees. Yan Gomes replaced Santana in the lineup Tuesday.

Francona added he's hopeful Santana will need just a few days off before returning to the lineup.

Indians catcher Carlos Santana was held out of the starting lineup Tuesday against the Yankees after suffering a bruised left thumb Monday. Yan Gomes, who was recalled from Triple-A Columbus after Lou Marson (neck) was placed on the 15-day disabled list, started at catcher for Cleveland.

Santana is considered day-to-day after X-rays came back negative on his thumb.

Astros first baseman/outfielder Chris Carter has struggled during the first week of the season.

Carter was touted as a sleeper due to his prestigious power potential. Playing in Houston, where the left-field fence is short, was supposed to help him in that area. Carter clubbed 16 home runs in just 260 plate appearances in Oakland last season. 

Not surprisingly, strikeouts have been an issue. Carter owns a career 33.3 percent strikeout rate in the majors, and has 13 strikeouts in 27 plate appearances already this season.