MLB Player News

Goins is in no immediate danger of losing his spot to Devon Travis (shoulder), who has begun his rehab assignment after having off-season surgery, MLB.com reports.

Second base belongs to Goins, and while that could eventually change, Travis will need to earn his spot on the field. Goins could speed up that timeline if he continues to struggle with the bat, but the Blue Jays are content with his defense and seem to be in no hurry to make a move.

Brantley went 1-for-3 with a walk, a steal and a run against the Twins on Wednesday.

After an 0-for-4 performance in his first start of the year, Brantley got started on filling the back of his baseball card in this one. If he can stay on the field moving forward, Brantley should be a lock for double-digit homers and steals, with a shot at joining the 20-20 club for the second time.

Martinez knocked in four RBI with a home run and a double in Wednesday's 9-4 win over Oakland.

It was a big night for the outfielder after coming in hitless in his previous eight at-bats. He hasn't exactly shown the power yet that helped him hit a career-high 38 homers last season, but Wednesday's game was a good sign. With a .293 average for the season, Martinez is still a solid fantasy play.

Brantley is in the lineup Tuesday against the Twins.

Brantley was activated off the disabled list Monday but was held out of the starting lineup, so Tuesday will mark his first start of the season. He lined out as a pinch hitter Monday, but he'll man left field and bat clean up against Ricky Nolasco on Tuesday.

Goins is not in the lineup Tuesday against the White Sox, Brendan Kennedy of the Toronto Star reports.

Goins is 0-for-18 over his last five games, dropping his season average down to .172, so he'll receive his second day off in the last three games. Darwin Barney will take over at the keystone in his stead and bat eighth.

Cabrera broke out of his early-season slump in a big way, going 4-for-4 with two home runs, four RBI and two runs scored on Monday against the Athletics.

Cabrera was held out of the lineup on Sunday to try to break him out of his funk, and it worked like a charm. The star first baseman raised his batting average from .206 to .254 with the big day. Cabrera now has three home runs and 10 RBI for the season.

Canha came off the bench to go 1-for-2 with an RBI single in Monday's loss to the Tigers.

Canha made his first appearance of the year at third base in this one, having already logged time at first base and both corner outfield spots. Canha hasn't been hitting very well to start the season, sporting a .179 batting average. However, he has three home runs in just 28 at-bats this year after launching 16 a year ago. As long as he continues to get time in the lineup, Canha will remain a power threat for the A's.

Choi is making his second start in three games Monday, playing left field and batting ninth against the Royals, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

Choi has been used sparingly this season despite Daniel Nava's current lack of availability due to injury. Thus far, Choi is 1-for-8 with a strikeout and three walks in seven games with the Angels.

Brantley was activated from the DL on Monday, but he's not in the starting lineup against Twins lefty Tommy Milone.

Brantley is 2-for-10 in his career against Milone, but it's somewhat surprising that he is not in the lineup upon activation from the DL. The corresponding move for Brantley's return was to place Carlos Carrasco on the 15-day DL, so the Indians apparently simply added Brantley as an available bench bat Monday with the plan of starting him Tuesday against Ricky Nolasco.

Brantley (shoulder) was activated from the 15-day DL for Monday's game against Minnesota.

He'll take the roster spot of Carlos Carrasco, who was placed on the DL on Monday as he's expected to miss four-to-six weeks with a hamstring strain. Brantley will likely slot back into the heart of the Cleveland order beginning with Monday's game at Target Field, where he initially injured his shoulder in September.