MLB Player News

Vargas went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Tuesday night's victory over the White Sox.

Prior to Tuesday's contest, Vargas was batting just .219 over the team's past 14 games, and although he did strike out twice, his power continued to show through. He now has seven home runs on the season, and although he may not hit for a very high average, his power could help him continue to log semi-regular at-bats as the designated hitter for the upstart Twins squad.

Miller (groin) is "still in shutdown mode" per manager Kevin Cash, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

This is Miller's second DL stint in the past month. He appears to have made no progress in his recovery, which makes a return during the month of June seem unrealistic. It's uncertain when he may begin ramping up his activity.

Brantley was placed on the 10-day disabled list Monday with a sprained right ankle.

Brantley didn't play in any of the Indians' last five games while he was away from the team following the birth of his child, but the time off wasn't enough to remedy the soreness he was experiencing in his ankle, which he first sprained earlier in the month in Kansas City. It's not believed to be a significant setback for the outfielder, who could rejoin the Tribe when first eligible Sunday if the soreness subsides as expected. In the meantime, Brantley's absence will likely open up some extra at-bats for the likes of Austin Jackson and Daniel Robertson.

Brantley is not in the lineup Monday against the Orioles.

Although Brantley is expected to be activated from the paternity list ahead of Monday's contest, the Indians will instead keep him out of action for one more day. The veteran outfielder missed the past five games to attend to the birth of his child, but he was playing well before then, batting .311 with nine RBI in the prior 16 games. Austin Jackson will man left field in his stead, but look for Brantley to return to action Tuesday.

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.