MLB Player News

Martinez will serve as the designated hitter in his first two games with Triple-A Toledo, but could return to the outfield as early as Friday, Katie Strang of ESPN reports.

While starting as a designated hitter seemed to signal his elbow wasn't ready to play the outfield, it appears the issue won't keep him off the field much longer. When healthy, he should retake his everyday role in right field, but Martinez may require a lengthier rehab before his return to the majors.

Brantley (shoulder) remains without a timetable to return but says he is "very confident" he will return and have an impact this season, Chris Assenheimer of The Chronicle Telegram reports.

Brantley had surgery last week to remove scar tissue from the shoulder that's nagged him all season and while he's yet to resume baseball activities, he's optimistic about returning this season. The 29-year-old will likely begin jogging and light-arm exercises in the coming weeks but could be held out all of August as he works his way back to full strength.

Martinez (elbow) will begin a rehab stint at Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday, starting as a designated hitter, Katie Strang of ESPN reports.

The Tigers seemingly aren't in any rush to get Martinez back in Detroit, so it's possible that the outfielder will take a longer-than-usual rehab assignment at Triple-A. That being said, his ability to play in the outfield while with Toledo will be the signal that he's likely a few days away from rejoining the Tigers.

Choi went 1-for-4 with a solo homer against the Astros on Saturday.

Choi's second home run of the season pulled the team within five runs in the fifth inning of a road loss. He's now hit safely in seven of 10 games in July, but he's only slashing .163/.276/.327 over 53 at-bats on the year.

Cabrera went 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles, a walk, a run and two RBI Friday at the White Sox.

Cabrera's two-run single in the seventh inning broke open a 5-5 tie, leading the Tigers to a road win. He's now collected multiple hits in each of his last three games, and he's slashing .300/.376/.515 on the year.

Miller is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the A's, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Miller will head to the bench with a left-hander in Sean Manaea due up for Oakland, as is standard whenever the Rays face a southpaw. With five homers so far in July, Miller is now up to 15 homers on the year. His role as the starting shortstop and No. 2 hitter against right-handers appears safe.

Brantley (shoulder) underwent a procedure to remove scar tissue from his shoulder, Zach Meisel of Clevelanddotcom reports.

Brantley underwent an MRI on Wednesday after feeling additional discomfort in his shoulder which necessitated a procedure to remove scar tissue that had built up. While he's expected to resume baseball activities next week, he's likely due to spend another 3-4 weeks sidelined as he returns to full strength. He projects to return sometime in August as the Indians look to secure a top seed in the American League.

Vargas is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Red Sox, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The 25-year-old has hit the ground running since his return to the majors, going 12-for-39 (.308 average) with 10 of those hits going for extra bases. Vargas will head to the bench Friday against a southpaw (Eduardo Rodriguez), as he did Monday the last time the Twins faced a lefty, but it looks like Vargas will be a regular part of the Minnesota lineup against right-handed pitching moving forward.

Reed has been optioned to Triple-A Fresno, Astros beat reporter Brian McTaggart reports.

In his short 17-game stint with the Astros, Reed is hitting .156/.250/.289 with two home runs in 45 at-bats. Reed will head back to Fresno where he was hitting .266/.245/.509 with 11 home runs and 36 RBI in 222 at-bats. There is no word on the subsequent move by Houston, but it looks to have nothing to do with Alex Bregman.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said that Martinez might begin a rehab assignment as just a designated hitter, due to his inability to throw without pain, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Martinez got some swings in the batting cage on Thursday, as the pain doesn't bother him when he hits. He will get rehab at-bats as a designated hitter until he is able to throw pain-free. This will hopefully get him back in Detroit sooner as the Tigers head begin their stretch run. The Tigers will continue to do everything they can to get Martinez back on the field as soon as possible without jeopardizing his health.