MLB Player News

Cabrera went 1-for-4 with his third home run Tuesday, representing the entirety of the Detroit offense in a 5-1 loss at Tampa Bay.

After getting off to a 3-for-28 start without a single extra-base hit, Miggy has awoken with a five-game hitting streak that's seen him go 7-for-17 with three homers, a double and seven RBI. His stats still haven't caught up to their normal levels, but that's just a matter of time. Cabrera may be 34, but he's still one of the game's top hitters. It seems like the back pain that forced him out of Sunday's game is a non-issue, which is a relief.

Cabrera (back) is starting at first base and hitting third in Tuesday's game against the Rays, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Cabrera left Sunday's game with back pain and received treatment to help alleviate the soreness Monday, as the Tigers had the day off. Cabrera, who's slashing an uncharacteristic .220/.347/.390, will look to improve as the Tigers take on a Tampa Bay squad that's starting the right-handed Matt Andriese.

Brantley went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and two RBI in Monday's 3-1 win over the Twins.

It was Brantley's second home run of the season, and the outfielder is now slashing .268/.348/.463 with two steals, eight RBI and four runs in 46 plate appearances. The Tribe is keeping him rested by sitting him against select left-handed pitchers after he played in just 11 games in 2016 due to a shoulder injury. The good news is that the 29-year-old looks fully healthy and should provide solid numbers across the board for fantasy owners who took the plunge on him. After all, he's just three years removed from a .327-20-97 season.

Buxton is not in the lineup Monday against the Indians.

Buxton is off to a brutal start, slashing just .093/.152/.140 with 23 strikeouts through 43 at-bats, so he'll get the day off to clear his head as Max Kepler takes over in center field. He'll look to get things on track when he returns to the lineup, which should be Tuesday.

Miller went 1-for-4 with a triple, two RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 7-5 loss to the Red Sox.

The left-handed-hitting Miller is off to a slow start this year, hitting just .205 with two triples, a home run and six RBI in 13 games. He also has an unsightly 19:7 K:BB ratio in 44 at-bats. Miller certainly has power (30 homers in 2016), but he must cut down on his strikeouts in order to help fantasy owners in the average department. He is also a candidate to see days off against lefties, as he hit just .227 with three of his 30 bombs against southpaws in 2016.

Cabrera (back) will get treatment on the Tigers' off-day Monday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The veteran told reporters after Sunday's game that he has been dealing with some back tightness throughout the weekend, which attributed to his early exit against the Indians. He'll visit with the team training staff Monday in hopes that he'll be able to return to the lineup for Tuesday's series opener in Tampa Bay. If Cabrera has to sit out Tuesday, the Tigers could use Victor Martinez or Andrew Romine at first base.

Cabrera left Sunday's game against the Indians after experiencing tightness in his lower back, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Cabrera had reached second base before the Tigers' trainer was brought on the field to examine the 33-year-old. After Cabrera was pulled, JaCoby Jones entered the game to play center field while Andrew Romine shifted to first base. Cabrera also dealt with back tightness in spring training and the WBC.

Royals general manager Dayton Moore said Soler (oblique) could begin a rehab assignment later this week, Josh Vernier of 610 AM Sports Radio reports.

There was some thought that Soler might be cleared to play in minor league games as soon as Monday after he was able to take part in batting practice Saturday. However, since the outfielder was still experiencing some tightness with his oblique, the Royals want to give him a couple extra days off. It's not considered a major setback for Soler, who could head to the minors by the weekend if the soreness dissipates. Once he eventually rejoins the Royals, Soler will compete with Paulo Orlando for starting duties in right field.

Martinez (foot) will join the Tigers in Tampa for their upcoming series with the Rays and is scheduled to take batting practice Tuesday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The Tigers have no plans to activate Martinez from the disabled list during the Rays series, as he still hasn't been cleared to take part in outfield drills. Before the Tigers allow him to do so, Martinez will need to run with at least 80 percent of his body weight on an Alter-G treadmill, but it's unclear when that might happen. Look for manager Brad Ausmus to continue to go with a platoon of Tyler Collins and Mikie Mahtook in right field until Martinez is activated.

Brantley will be used judiciously throughout April and possibly longer, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

Brantley, who played just 11 games last season due to shoulder problems, is being carefully deployed by manager Terry Francona in the early portion of 2017 in hopes of conserving the outfielder for later in the season. The Indians have been resting Brantley against selected lefties since the start of the year, and Francona says the practice will continue at least through April. Through 33 at-bats, the 29-year-old is slashing .242/.324/.394 with three extra-base hits and 10 strikeouts.