MLB Player News

Brantley went 1-for-3 with two walks and an RBI double in the 10th inning Tuesday to give the Indians a 2-1 win over the White Sox.

Shoulder troubles ruined his 2016, but Brantley has looked fully healthy to begin this season, collecting four RBI through his first six games. The Tribe will continue taking it relatively easy on him, resulting in more frequent days off, but the 29-year-old appears ready to once again contribute the solid five-category production he delivered in 2013-15.

Buxton went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Tigers.

He was caught looking all three times, twice by Matt Boyd and once by Justin Wilson. Buxton's big finish to last season seems like a distant memory, as he's hitting .069 (2-for-29) to begin 2017 with a shocking 1:17 BB:K. Until he climbs his way out of this slump, the 23-year-old should be far away from any active fantasy rosters.

Goins is starting at third base and hitting ninth Tuesday against the Brewers.

Josh Donaldson was held out of Tuesday's lineup with a calf injury, giving way to Goins at third base. Goins has appeared at the plate once this season and has slashed just .223/.270/.324 in his major-league career, but could appear in the lineup until Donaldson is back in full health.

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.