MLB Player News

Cabrera went 0-for-3 in Friday's win over the Red Sox and the veteran slugger is hitless through three games this season.

Cabrera is one of the better hitters in baseball, so there's little doubt he'll figure things out soon. He batted .316 with 38 home runs and 108 RBI in 2016. Expect similar numbers this season.

Buxton is batting in the seventh slot for Saturday's game against the White Sox, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.

Buxton has batted third in the first four games this season, but he's off to a horrendous 1-for-18 start with 11 strikeouts. Accordingly, with Jorge Polanco hitting .400, a shuffle was in order. Buxton's speed and defensive abilities will keep him in the starting lineup, but he'll need to improve at the plate if he wants to see more at-bats.

Martinez (foot) began swinging a bat Friday and manager Brad Ausmus said he is progressing well, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Martinez is rehabbing in extended spring training, but continues to make strides towards a full recovery. The veteran slugger sprained a ligament while diving in a Grapefruit League game, delaying the start of his 2017 season and enabling a right-field platoon between Mikie Mahtook and Tyler Collins. Barring any setbacks, expect Martinez to ramp up his rehabilitation within the coming weeks.

Miller went 1-for-3 with a run and a walk in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Blue Jays.

Miller's spring funk has carried into the first four games of the regular season, as he's hitting just .188 with at least one strikeout in each of those four outings. Thursday's effort provided a glimmer of hope, however, considering the 27-year-old had gone hitless over eight at-bats over the prior two games. Miller will try to make this April drastically different from last season's, a month in which he slashed .185/.254/.354 over 65 at-bats.

Manager Paul Molitor said he won't consider moving Buxton out of the third spot in the lineup yet, LaVelle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune reports.

Buxton is 1-for-14 in the first three games with seven strikeouts. It's a jarringly negative recurrence of his whiff issues from last year, but a small enough sample size that more patience is required. Still, hitting third may not be the best use of his high-upside skills and athleticism, including his game-breaking speed that could make him an elite source of stolen bases. Expect this setup to continue for at least another week, but if his struggles continue, Buxton may find himself on the move within the lineup.

Martinez (foot) is progressing well in his rehab and is scheduled to be examined Thursday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports. "They like the progress he's made. There are no negatives on J.D.," said manager Brad Ausmus on Thursday.

Martinez is working his way back from a mid-foot sprain he suffered making a catch during a spring training game on March 18. Thursday's doctor's appointment should shed further light on Martinez's progress, but provided that everything is going according to schedule, he should be on track to return by late April or early May. Mikie Mahtook and Tyler Collins will platoon in right field until Martinez is ready to return.

Brantley is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Rangers.

After an injury-plagued 2016 season, a healthy Brantley has gotten off to a decent start to open the new campaign, going 3-for-9 with two RBI in the team's first two games. Given that he's in the midst of his age-30 season and carries some durability concerns, Brantley figures to be rested more frequently in 2017 than in seasons past, and manager Terry Francona will take advantage of Thursday's off day to give the veteran outfielder an extended breather. Brandon Guyer will fill in for Brantley in left field.

Cabrera won't play Wednesday after the scheduled Tigers-White Sox game was postponed due to rain, MLB.com's Scott Merkin reports.

With rain descending on Chicago again Wednesday, the Tigers and White Sox will have a game postponed for the second time in the series. Wednesday's game will be made up as part of a straight doubleheader May 26. The two teams are on track to play Thursday at 2:10 p.m ET in the series finale.

Brantley went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two strikeouts in Tuesday's contest against the Rangers.

After spending a majority of the past year rehabbing from shoulder surgery, Brantley has looked good through the team's first two games of 2017. He's 3-for-9 with a pair of RBI, although he's also gone down on strikes in three at-bats. It wouldn't be a major surprise to see the outfielder left off the lineup card in one of the team's upcoming games as skipper Terry Francona carefully manages his star left fielder's return.

Martinez had the cast on his right foot removed Monday and has started physical therapy, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Martinez was finally able to start physical therapy after having his right foot constrained to a cast for the past couple weeks, marking a milestone in his rehab. The 29-year-old is hoping to return to the Tigers in late April or early May, though there still isn't a firm timetable. "He said he'd let me know how he feels [Tuesday]," said manager Brad Ausmus. Until Martinez is able to return, Mikie Mahtook and Tyler Collins will likely split time in right field.