MLB Player News

Vargas was optioned to Triple-A Rochester after Monday's game, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Vargas needed just 161 plate appearances to hit seven home runs, but he wasn't providing anything besides the power. Thanks in large part to a 7:45 BB:K, Vargas owned a brutal .230 average and .267 OBP. With Ehire Adrianza ready to come off the disabled list, Varags and his limited skill set became expendable.

Miller (groin) went 1-for-4 with a double for High-A Charlotte on Sunday, but he won't be activated from the disabled list until Thursday at the earliest, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The rehabbing second baseman played in three games over the weekend for the Stone Crabs, doubling in each contest while also walking and scoring once. It's certainly an encouraging sign that Miller has emerged setback-free from his first game action since early June, but the Rays apparently want him to knock more rust off before having him return to the big-league club. Tim Beckham, who's been dealing with an ankle issue in his own right, and Taylor Featherston have both been making starts at the keystone in recent games.

Soler went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run during Saturday's loss to Minnesota.

Soler has gone 4-for-16 with a homer and a double since being recalled from Triple-A Omaha. It's been a disappointing season for the outfielder, and he's really struggled to live up to expectations. His power upside remains unquestioned, and he appears set for semi-consistent at-bats, so he's a potential flier for homer-starved fantasy teams.

Buxton is not in the lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Royals, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Buxton performed well in the first game of Saturday's twin bill, going 2-for-4 with a walk, but will get the evening off. Max Kepler will take over in center field and bat fourth against probable Kansas City starter Jason Hammel.

Cabrera went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's win over the Indians.

He and J.D. Martinez delivered back-to-back home runs off Josh Tomlin in the third inning to give the Tigers a lead they would not surrender. Cabrera has now mashed three home runs in his last four games to raise his season total to 11 through 246 at-bats. He went through a 22-game stretch without a home run earlier in the season, but is now starting to heat up in a big way heading into the All-Star break.

Martinez went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and two runs scored in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Indians.

He was originally expected to rest for the first installment of Saturday's twin bill, but Justin Upton was a late scratch, leading to manager Brad Ausmus plugging Martinez into the lineup. Martinez is now hitting .299 with a 1.038 OPS in 45 games this season and he's also belted out 14 home runs. He's collected hits in four of his last five games and has multiple hits in three of those outings.

Miller (groin) is in the lineup for Game 1 of High-A Charlotte's doubleheader Saturday, Bryan Levine of the Charlotte Sun reports.

Miller has been out since the first week of June with a groin strain, but is appearing in his first game since he went on the DL in early June. It is unclear how much Miller will play, but this is good progress for the infielder. The Rays haven't mapped out a timetable for Miller, but it appears as though he could make a return soon after the All-Star break.

Martinez was added to Saturday's lineup for Game 1 of the doubleheader.

Justin Upton was a late scratch with right side soreness, thrusting Martinez into right field. The 29-year-old will bat third for the first game of the twin bill while Matt den Dekker moves from right to left field.

Martinez is not in the lineup for the first game of Saturday's doubleheader.

Martinez took a foul ball off his foot -- the same foot that caused him to miss the first 36 games of the season -- Thursday, but was in the lineup to play Friday's game until it got postponed. The outfielder will instead spend the first game of the doubleheader on the bench while Matt den Dekker gets his first start of the year in right.

Martinez (foot) is starting in right field and batting fifth against the Indians.

Martinez was lifted from Thursday's game after he fouled a ball off his left foot, but it appears his removal was simply precautionary as he's back in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against Cleveland. The 29-year-old is slashing .294/.382/.634 with 13 homers in 44 games this season.