MLB Player News

Manager Terry Francona says Brantley has made the Indians' 25-man roster, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The news comes as no surprise, as Brantley is healthy and swinging a hot bat -- he's slashing .385/.429/.692 through eight spring games. Assuming he gets the Opening Day nod next week, it will be the outfielder's first major-league start since May 9 of last season.

Martinez (foot) was officially placed on the 10-day disabled list Friday.

It's a procedural move, with Martinez scheduled to miss at least the opening week or two of the season while he deals with a sprained Lisfranc ligament. The near future will be key in determining when he can actually suit up again, though if he falls far enough in fantasy drafts due to that uncertainty, he could prove to be a bargain.

Brantley is on track to make Cleveland's Opening Day roster, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Manager Terry Francona made it clear that Brantley is in a good spot in terms of health, and his spring performance has done nothing but reinforce that claim. Over seven games he's 9-for-23 (.391) with two home runs and two doubles.

Vargas was diagnosed with a bruised foot after an MRI and CT scan revealed he hadn't suffered any structural damage, Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press reports.

Now that it's clear Vargas isn't dealing a major injury, the club plans to have him play in another minor-league game Friday. Vargas hasn't played well in limited action this spring, as he's gone just 1-for-15 (.067) over seven games, and is expected to begin the season in the minors.

Vargas (foot) is likely to begin the season in the minors, Zone Coverage's Brandon Warne reports.

In a surprising move, the Twins will go with Robbie Grossman as the DH, sending Vargas and Byungho Park to the minors while going with a three-man bench and eight-man bullpen. Vargas or Park could be back up with the Twins in a hurry, so they are still worth holding in deeper formats, but for now the lefty-mashing Grossman will be getting the bulk of the starts at DH. Vargas has been dealing with a foot injury, but was able to take three at-bats in a minor league game Wednesday.

Vargas (foot) took three at-bats as a DH in a minor-league game Wednesday and indicated he felt fine after the session, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Vargas experienced no renewed swelling in his foot and now looks on track to take part in one or both of the big club's final two exhibitions of the spring. The 26-year-old was already losing ground to Byungho Park in their battle for the DH role during spring training, and it doesn't appear as though he'll have enough time to catch up. There's a good chance that Vargas will open the season with Triple-A Rochester.

Vargas (foot) took grounders and is set to start as the DH in a minor-league game Wednesday, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Vargas has been cruising through rehab from a bruised left foot, a good sign he will be ready for Opening Day. He could find himself behind Byungho Park on the DH depth chart after a mediocre spring performance and will only serve to spell Joe Mauer at first base. Nonetheless, the progress is encouraging and shows Vargas could provide a powerful bat off the bench to begin the season.

Soler's MRI on Monday revealed he has a Grade 1 oblique strain, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Soler's MRI confirmed what was reported earlier, so the 25-year-old will sit for the next week before slowly being eased back into baseball activities, ensuring that he will miss some time to start the season. His absence could open up a spot for speedster Terrance Gore to make the team as a reserve outfielder, while Paulo Orlando should see the bulk of the time in right field as Soler's primary replacement.

Vargas (foot) took batting practice Monday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Vargas is working his way back from a bruised foot, as he shed his crutches Sunday and progressed to taking batting practice Monday. The 26-year-old is just 1-for-15 this spring, so unless Vargas returns to the field soon, he could temporarily lose his Opening Day DH spot to Byungho Park.

Soler is dealing with a strained oblique and could open the season on the 10-day DL, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Ticketed for a full-time role in right field entering spring training, Soler struggled through much of Cactus League play prior to suffering the injury, batting just .143 with two homers in 49 at-bats. While the Royals haven't indicated that Soler's injury will put him at risk of a long-term absence, the possibility that he'll miss Opening Day could allow speedster Terrance Gore to make the club as a reserve outfielder. Paulo Orlando can be expected to serve as Soler's primary replacement for however long he's sidelined.