MLB Player News

Brantley is not starting Sunday against the Rays, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brantley started the season hot, going 5-for-12 with a homer and a double through his first three games. He'll get a routine off day Sunday as the Astros seek to keep his workload in check. Josh Reddick, Jake Marisnick and George Springer will start from left to right across the outfield.

Cabrera (hand) is back in the lineup as a designated hitter Sunday against the Blue Jays, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Cabrera exited Saturday's contest after taking a pitch off his hand. X-rays were negative, and he won't be forced to miss a single game.

Choi is not starting Sunday against the Astros.

Choi started the team's first three games at first base but will sit Sunday with lefty Wade Miley on the mound. Yandy Diaz moves from third to first, with Daniel Robertson getting the start at third base.

Soler went 3-for-3 with two doubles and three RBI as the Royals defeated the White Sox on Saturday.

Serving as the designated hitter, Soler doubled twice to left field and is now 5-for-7 with five RBI. The 27-year-old should continue to regularly serve as the Royals' cleanup hitter.

Cabrera does not have a fractured hand according to X-rays taken Saturday.

The veteran appears to have escaped with nothing worse than a bruise after getting hit in the hand by a pitch Saturday. It's unknown whether he'll need to miss a day or two or if he could get back in the lineup as soon as Sunday.

Cabrera was hit by a pitch in his right hand Saturday and was forced to leave the game, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The severity of the issue should become clear after further tests. Nico Goodrum and John Hicks would cover for him at first base if he's forced to miss an extended period.

Soler will serve as the Royals' designated hitter and cleanup man Saturday against the White Sox.

Soler, who went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Thursday's season opener, will make his second straight start at DH. It had been expected that Soler would see most of his action in the corner outfield to begin the season, but manager Ned Yost prefers the defense upgrade Whit Merrifield provides in right, according to Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com. As long as Soler keeps seeing steady at-bats, fantasy managers won't complain how the 26-year-old is deployed. In fact, handling DH duties may prove more beneficial for Soler, who would likely be at less risk of a potential injury.

Miller will start at second base and bat eighth Saturday against the Twins, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

With Jason Kipnis (calf) opening the season on the injured list, Miller has stepped in as the primary option at second base, at least in games in which the Tribe faces right-handed pitching. Miller will stick in the lineup for the second straight game after going 1-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts in Thursday's Opening Day loss.

Martinez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a 7-6 victory against the Mariners on Friday.

The Mariners jumped out to a 6-1 lead by the end of the fourth, but the Red Sox slowly chipped away. Martinez' blast pulled Boston within three in the sixth. Martinez has hit at least 43 homers in each of the last two years, and at 31, there doesn't seem to be any signs of Martinez slowing down any time soon.

Brantley went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Friday's loss to Tampa Bay.

Brantley plated the game's first two runs in the third inning on a double to right field, although the Rays would rally and ultimately come away with the victory. He's gotten off to a strong start at the dish over the first two contests of the 2019 campaign and is now 4-for-8 with a home run and three RBI out of the cleanup spot.