MLB Player News

Brantley (shoulder) said Wednesday he should be ready to resume full baseball activities by spring training, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Though Brantley is set to become a free agent this winter, is turning 36 years old in May and is working back from August surgery to repair the labrum in his right shoulder, he isn't yet ready to retire. Brantley's power production has trended down in recent seasons, and he's probably a better fit at designated hitter than in the corner outfield at this stage of his career, but his elite contact skills should be enough for him to secure a one-year deal on the open market.

Winker (wrist) is starting Thursday against the Rangers.

Winker sat out the last two games due to a bruised left wrist, but he'll serve as the designated hitter and bat sixth Thursday. Over his last five games, he's gone 3-for-11 with two runs, two RBI, two walks and four strikeouts.

Jimenez is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Twins.

With Jimenez going 5-for-27 (.185) over his last seven games and the White Sox playing a day game Thursday, Jimenez will be held out for the second time in four contests. Jose Abreu will serve as Chicago's designated hitter with Andrew Vaughn manning first base.

Cabrera is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Royals.

The 39-year-old will be getting some maintenance while Detroit concludes its series with a day game after a night game. Javier Baez will serve as the Tigers' designated hitter while Cabrera rests after going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Wednesday's 2-1 victory.

Cabrera went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Royals.

Cabrera took Kansas City starter Daniel Lynch deep in the first inning with a runner on, and it was all the offense Detroit needed in the narrow win. The veteran now has five long balls this season, which would be his fewest since hitting three home runs across just 38 games during an injury-plagued 2018 campaign.

Ford was designated for assignment by the Angels on Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Ford has been a lineup regular at first base for the past month, but he's been removed from the 40-man roster after he posted a .231/.293/.374 slash line with three home runs and five RBI in 28 games for the Angels. Anthony Rendon (wrist) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move, though the Halos will be down one player for the next five games while Rendon serves a suspension.

Winker (wrist) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

The 29-year-old will sit for the second straight game after he suffered a left wrist bruise on a hit-by-pitch Sunday. Winker should be considered day-to-day while Sam Haggerty starts in left field and bats sixth Wednesday.

Stanton isn't starting Wednesday against the Blue Jays.

Stanton went 0-for-9 with seven strikeouts over the first two games of the series in Toronto and will rest for Wednesday's series finale. Aaron Judge is serving as the designated hitter while Tim Locastro starts in right field.

Alvarez (ankle) isn't starting Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

Alvarez exited Tuesday's win over Arizona with a left ankle injury, but he underwent X-rays that came back negative. Manager Dusty Baker said after the game that he hopes Alvarez will "be ready in a couple of days," so it's possible that he's back in action for Friday's series opener against the Rays following the Astros' scheduled day off Thursday. Chas McCormick will shift to left field while Mauricio Dubon starts in center Wednesday.

Cabrera will serve as the Tigers' designated hitter and No. 4 batter in Wednesday's game against the Royals.

Since returning Sept. 19 from a stint on the injured list, Cabrera looks to have moved into a near-everyday role after he had previously been playing on a more part-time basis prior to being shelved. He's hit a modest 3-for-19 since being activated, but Cabrera will pick up his fifth start in six games nonetheless.