MLB Player News

Brantley is scheduled to rejoin the Indians on Monday after missing the team's weekend series following the birth of his child Thursday, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

In Brantley's absence, Jose Ramirez hit from the third spot in the batting order in each game of the weekend series. However, comments made by manager Terry Francona suggest that won't remain the case, as the switch-hitting Ramirez offers more protection to Edwin Encarnacion in the cleanup spot.

Vargas will start at first base and bat fifth Sunday against the Indians, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

With Robbie Grossman hitting the bench for a second straight game, Vargas will enter the lineup for the sixth time in eight contests. Grossman had seemingly emerged as manager Paul Molitor's preferred option at designated hitter earlier this month, but Vargas' uptick in at-bats of late suggests that may no longer be the case. Grossman hasn't helped his cause by going 0-for-12 over his last three starts, but Vargas has started to slump a bit too after bashing out four of the Twins' franchise-record 28 hits in Tuesday's blowout win over the Mariners. Since that contest, Vargas has gone 1-for-12 with five strikeouts.

Cabrera went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's loss to the Tigers.

After going 22 games without a homer, Cabrera is starting to heat up. The veteran slugger has now swatted two out in his last three games. He's in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak --slashing .379/.419/.759 in 29 at-bats over that span -- and will look to keep swinging a hot bat as the Tigers wrap up their series with the Rays before heading out on an extended road trip.

Lewis landed on the 7-day DL with High-A Modesto with soreness in his surgically repaired right knee, Modesto Nuts broadcaster Keaton Gillogly reports.

He re-injured his knee while trying to make a play in the outfield on June 12 after making just four plate appearances this season. There is reportedly no structural damage, so he should be able to return at some point in the coming weeks.

Cabrera will be part of the Tigers' DH rotation after it was disclosed that he's also dealing with nagging left hip flexor soreness, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

With Victor Martinez (illness) out for the foreseeable future, it seems like the Tigers will be deploying various different players as the designated hitter. Friday will be Cabrera's opportunity, and although he reportedly did not want to DH, the stud slugger will get an evening off from defense in an effort to keep his various ailments from getting out of hand. There's been no indication that anything is bad enough to sideline Cabrera for an extended period of time, but it wouldn't be surprising to see a good number of maintenance days provided for him.

Brantley was placed on the paternity list Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

As anticipated, Brantley's roster spot will be opened up while he attends to the birth of his child. Right-hander Adam Plutko was recalled to fill the void on the roster, and Daniel Robertson seems like the main beneficiary of the available playing time. Look for Brantley to be back in the next few days.

Brantley, who left the team to be with his wife Thursday for the birth of their child, might be placed on the paternity list in the next few days, Zach Meisel of Cleveland.com reports.

It depends on whether the Indians want to open up a roster spot for a brief window. Brantley should be back Sunday, at the latest, if the club makes the transaction. Daniel Robertson could continue taking on extra at-bats in Brantley's absence, as he did Thursday.

Lewis has missed the last two games at High-A Modesto due to knee soreness but there is no structural damage, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

The Mariners' top prospect recently resumed playing games at High-A Modesto after undergoing surgery to repair an ACL injury last July. According to Divish, Lewis' knee soreness stems from a play he made in the field where his leg crashed against the outfield wall Monday. The Mariners will be cautious with him and keep Lewis out until the soreness fully subsides.

Cabrera has been dealing with back soreness of late but intends to play through it, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports. "It's something that I deal with everyday. I'm not going to stop playing or make an excuse," said Cabrera after Thursday's win.

Cabrera was the hero Thursday as he smacked a walkoff home run off of Tommy Hunter to get the Tigers into the win column. His home run marked the first time Cabrera has gone deep since May 20, a span of 83 at-bats. It appears that Cabrera will continue to play every day, but his back will be something for owners to monitor as the season progresses. He now has six home runs and 31 RBI over 193 at-bats this season.

Cabrera went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run, a double and two runs scored during Thursday's win over Tampa Bay.

The first baseman has exactly two hits in each of his past four games to improve his season-long numbers to a .280/.378/.446 slash line with six homers, 31 RBI and 21 runs. He's also collected five extra-base hits through his past four games, so it isn't out of the question to count on an upcoming hot stretch from the veteran. Cabrera's current power numbers are down, but considering his track record, remaining patient should pay off over the long run.