MLB Player News

Martinez started in left field for a second consecutive day and went 1-for-5 with an RBI in Sunday's 2-1 win over the Rays.

Martinez, who got his first hit in a Red Sox uniform Saturday, knocked in his first run Sunday. He's off to a slow start, going 3-for-15 over the first four games of the season, something that can be attributed to a late start after signing at the end of February. He talked about his timing being off, so it's important manager Alex Cora get Martinez regular at-bats while handing out rest days to others. We expect to see Martinez in the lineup regularly, whether at designated hitter or left field.

Cabrera went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Sunday's loss to the Pirates in the second game of a doubleheader,

The veteran slugger is off to a good start, with five hits in his first 14 at-bats of the season. Four of the hits have gone for extra bases, including his first home run of the season in Sunday's nightcap. Reportedly healthy to begin the year after an injury-marred 2017, Cabrera could be poised for a bounce-back effort, though the 34-year-old is unlikely to get back to the form that made him a regular MVP candidate earlier in his career.

Ohtani (1-0) allowed three runs on three hits and a walk with six strikeouts through six innings in a win Sunday over the Athletics.

He was a bit shaky early, as Matt Chapman touched him up for a three-run home run, but Ohtani showed resolve in his major-league debut. He buckled down after the home run to finish with four straight scoreless innings to get the quality start and win, all within 92 pitches. Ohtani drew 18 swinging strikes, including five whiffs on just 11 uses of his nasty split-fingered fastball. If the splitter remains that kind of strikeout tool for Ohtani, the American League should be afraid.

Miller went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk during Sunday's 2-1 loss to Boston.

After an injury-plagued 2017 campaign, Miller's role wasn't a given this spring, and he didn't start Opening Day. However, he's now been in the lineup the past three games and hit fourth against right-handed pitchers the past two. While expecting a rebound to his 30-homer form from 2016 is probably foolish, Miller owns the potential to be a serviceable contributor in deeper settings. Just keep expectations in check.

Martinez started in left field Saturday and went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in 3-2 win over the Rays.

Saturday's game was a couple of firsts for Martinez: it was his first time in the field after two games as the designated hitter, and he got his first hit of the season. Manager Alex Cora will utilize Martinez, Hanley Ramirez and Mitch Moreland in a rotation at first base and DH but will also have Martinez hit left field to spell one of the team's outfielders from time to time.

Jimenez suffered a mild strain of his left pectoral muscle, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Jimenez will be held out of baseball activities for about a week and work in extended spring training before rejoining Double-A Birmingham.

One of baseball's top prospects will be brought along slowly before starting the minor-league season with the Barons. Jimenez, 21, unleashed a .353/.397/.559 line across 73 plate appearances with Birmingham in 2017 and could reach the majors for more than a September cup of coffee this season if he keeps crushing it on the farm.

Brantley (ankle) is scheduled to play in minor-league games in Arizona on Monday and Tuesday, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Brantley, who opened the season on the 10-day disabled list, continues to work his way back from October ankle surgery. The Indians will wait to see how he feels following Tuesday's game to determine the next step in his rehab. He's eligible to return from the disabled list April 5, though it's still unclear if he'll be ready to go by then. In the meantime, Tyler Naquin should continue to see starts in the outfield until Brantley is healthy.

Soler is not in the lineup Saturday against the White Sox, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Soler started the Royals' season opener in right field, going 0-for-3 with a walk. He'll sit Saturday in favor of Paulo Orlando, who will play center field, pushing Alex Gordon to left and Jon Jay to right. It may take a few weeks to figure out the Royals' outfield rotation and to learn how often Soler will be in the lineup.

Ohtani is out of the lineup Saturday against Oakland, Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California News Group reports.

With Ohtani set to take the mound for his regular-season debut as a pitcher during Sunday's game, he will be held out of any designated hitting duties Saturday. It seems expected that the 23-year-old won't serve as DH in days prior to a scheduled start.

Cabrera went 2-for-6 with a walk, a run scored and two RBI in Friday's 13-inning loss to the Pirates.

Batting in his typical No. 3 spot, Cabrera got his season off to a good start. The 34-year-old had the worst statistical season of his career in 2017, but following a strong spring training performance, a rebound could be in store for Cabrera if he stays healthy.