MLB Player News

Martinez went 2-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Royals.

He's hitting .322 (28-for-87) in June and now has 13 homers in 42 games on the year, a pace that has Martinez targeting his first 40-homer campaign despite missing the first six weeks of the season with a foot injury.

Brantley is back in the starting lineup Tuesday against the Rangers, batting third and playing left field.

It will mark Brantley's first game action since June 14, as the All-Star outfielder has been sidelined with an ankle sprain. The lefty is having a productive comeback season, batting .295 with 28 RBI and a .792 OPS over 54 games.

Brantley (ankle) isn't included in the lineup Monday against the Rangers.

It doesn't appear that Brantley suffered an unexpected setback with his sprained right ankle after being activated from the disabled list earlier Monday. Instead, the Twins are likely just keeping Brantley available off the bench in order to get an extra right-handed bat in the lineup against a tough lefty in the Rangers' Cole Hamels. Brandon Guyer (wrist), who was also activated from the DL on Monday, will fill Brantley's normal spot in left field.

Brantley was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list Monday.

Brantley hasn't played since June 14 while recovering from a sprained right ankle, but he seems good to go after completing some batting and running drills. The veteran outfielder will likely return to the Indians' outfield when they open up a four-game set with the Rangers on Monday, looking to build on his .296/.360/.432 slash line. Daniel Robertson and Shawn Armstrong were optioned to Triple-A in corresponding moves.

Buxton was added to the lineup for Saturday's game against the Indians, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Buxton was initially slated to avoid Indians ace Corey Kluber on Saturday, but Max Kepler's foot contusion and subsequent scratch from the lineup card opened a spot in the lineup for the 23-year-old. He will bat ninth for the Twins and roam his usual spot in center field.

Buxton will take a seat for Saturday's tilt against the Indians, LaVelle E. Neal of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Buxton has found some success at the plate over the last three games, going 4-for-13 with an RBI and two runs scored. He will avoid Indians ace Corey Kluber on Saturday, with Eddie Rosario shifting over from left field to make the start in center and Robbie Grossman entering the lineup and batting third.

Alvarez was promoted to High-A Buies Creek on Friday, Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com reports.

The promotion is well-earned considering the 19-year-old's blazing start with Low-A Quad Cities. In his first season since being acquired from the Dodgers' organization, Alvarez is slashing .360/.468/.658 with a 1.125 OPS and nine home runs through 32 games. Look for the top prospect to rise quickly through the minor-league tiers if his success continues.

Brantley (ankle) took batting practice Thursday and is scheduled to perform running drills Friday, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

Brantley was placed on the 10-day disabled list Monday, but he's on pace to have a brief stint on the sidelines. He's eligible to return Monday, so fantasy players setting weekly lineups should have a clear idea of his availability before rosters lock.

Cabrera went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's loss to the Mariners.

Cabrera has missed some time with groin and oblique injuries, and the slugging first baseman has just eight home runs so far after launching 38 last year. His .820 OPS is also more than 100 points below his 2016 mark. However, Cabrera's track record suggests that he could go on a hot streak at any moment.

Martinez went 2-for-4 with his 12th home run of the season in Tuesday's loss to the Mariners.

Those 12 home runs have come in just 36 games, which shows just how hot Martinez has been since returning from a spring training foot injury in May. With Victor Martinez out indefinitely due to an irregular heartbeat, J.D. Martinez batted fourth in this one, and he figures to be in the cleanup spot often moving forward.