MLB Player News

X-rays on Buxton's hand came back negative Thursday and he is considered day-to-day, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports. He was officially diagnosed with a left hand contusion.

This news comes as a major relief as Buxton was removed from Thursday's game in the fourth inning after being hit by a pitch on the hand. He was able to stay in initially and steal a base, but Max Kepler came in to replace him in center field the following inning. He's considered day-to-day, and his status going into Friday's game will likely hinge on the pain levels in his hand and his ability to grip a bat.

Buxton left Thursday's game after being hit by a pitch on the hand, Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago reports.

Max Kepler came on to replace Buxton in the top of the fourth inning Thursday after the Twins were retired in the bottom of the third. Buxton was hit in the hand by a Mat Latos offering and was able to stay in and steal a base, but manager Paul Molitor opted to take him out of the game thereafter. There's no word yet on the severity of Buxton's injury, but Kepler would be a likely replacement for him in center if Buxton is to miss time.

Buxton could be on the hot seat, following Thursday's signing of David Murphy to a minor league deal.

He is striking out at a 52 percent clip in the early going, and it's possible the Twins will option him to Triple-A Rochester for a spell to help him get his confidence back and work on his approach. Those who own Buxton in season-long leagues are right to be a little worried, but the best thing for his development may be five-to-six week run with Rochester.

Goins collected three hits -- including two doubles -- and two RBI in Wednesday's 7-2 victory over the Yankees.

It's hard to ask for much more from someone who bats at the bottom of the order. Though he won't provide much power, Goins has hit the ball well this season, posting a line of .321/.345/.429. Wednesday was the second multi-hit performance in the last three games for the second baseman. His RBI opportunities could be limited due to his order in the lineup, but he's seeing the ball well and can provide fantasy value, especially in AL-only leagues.

Cabrera reached base three times in a 1-for-3 day at the plate, along with accruing a run and an RBI against the Pirates on Tuesday.

Cabrera was coming off two straight games without a hit, however the slugger has reached base at least once in each of Detroit's games this year. He has drawn four walks in his last three games as well, and appears to be seeing the ball very well early on this season. While only batting .273, Cabrera is managing a .407 OBP.

Choi is out of the lineup on Wednesday against the A's, Pedro Moura of the LA Times reports.

After getting the start at DH Tuesday, Choi will draw out of the lineup. He's made two starts in the team's first eight games, going 0-for-6 with two walks this season. He'll make way for Albert Pujols at DH while C.J. Cron slides over to first base.

Brantley (shoulder), who started his rehab at Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday, will transition to Double-A Akron on Thursday and play every other day for about a week, MLB.com reports.

If that timetable holds for Brantley, he'll likely be looking at a return date around the end of April as the Indians will most certainly want him to appear in consecutive games before joining the major league team.

Martinez went 4-for-5 with two RBI and a double Tuesday against the Pirates.

Martinez led the Tigers in a 14-hit attack that saw them light up the Pirates for eight runs and an easy victory. He's off to a solid start, as he's hit safely in each game this season while posting multiple hits in three of his last four contests. And Martinez's power is finally starting to show -- he has a home run and a double in this last two games.

Torrens (shoulder) has opened up the season on the DL, Chad Jennings of the Westchester Journal News reports.

Torrens was expected to be ready for the start of the season despite undergoing surgery in his throwing shoulder last March, but he suffered a bit of a setback in the spring. Once ready, the catcher is expected to join the High-A Charleston team.

Miller received a vote of confidence from manager Kevin Cash despite an 0-for-16 start, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The offseason acquisition from the Mariners finally broke the ice Sunday by doubling in his last at-bat versus the Orioles, but Cash is relying on Miller's overall body of work since arriving in Tampa to support his belief that he'll turn things around. "I know he and (hitting coach Derek Shelton) have worked on a couple things to get his timing going," Cash said. "I really like the way he's handled the shortstop position. He hit the ball really well in spring training, a lot of hard contact. That's going to come. He just got off to a little bit of a slow start." Miller is slashing an anemic .059/.118/.158 line over 17 at-bats so far in 2016.