MLB Player News

Martinez (foot) took regular batting practice Monday and is slightly ahead of schedule in his recovery, the Detroit News' Chris McCosky reports.

It sounds like he is nearing a rehab assignment, but that situation is still a little up in the air. He will likely head to High-A Lakeland at first, then eventually move to Triple-A Toledo, per McCosky, with a potential return to the big leagues in late April.

Cabrera went 2-for-5 in Sunday's loss to the Red Sox, recording his first two hits of the season.

Cabrera had four straight 0-for-3 efforts before getting two knocks Sunday. The 33-year-old is one of the best hitters in baseball, and there's a good chance that a multi-game hitting streak is on the horizon.

Soler (oblique) took some swings Sunday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Soler is nearing the end of his 10-day DL stint as he rehabs his strained oblique, but it remains unclear if he'll be able to return to live action when eligible on April 12. Paulo Orlando will continue to fill the right field role in his absence.

Brantley is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks, MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports.

Brantley isn't dealing with any sort of injury but will rest for the second time in less than a week with the Indians intent to keep him fresh for the long haul after he was sidelined for most of the 2016 campaign. It's an opportune time anyway for the Tribe to keep the lefty-hitting Brantley on the bench with southpaw Patrick Corbin on the mound, though Brantley doesn't seem to be at much risk of falling into a platoon this season. Brandon Guyer will take Brantley's post in left field and bat third in the order.

Vargas (foot) started at DH and went 0-for-3 with two walks Saturday for Triple-A Rochester.

Vargas suffered a bruised foot late in spring training, but it's not an issue as the Triple-A season begins. He could be called up early in the season if he begins the year hot in the minors.

Canha has been added to Saturday's starting lineup, John Hickey of the Bay Area News Group reports.

With Trevor Plouffe scratched due to illness, Ryon Healy will move from DH to third base and Canha will slot into the lineup as the designated hitter, batting eighth. Saturday's start will be Canha's second of the year. He's 0-for-5 with a strikeout in the early going this season.

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.