MLB Player News

  • Miguel Cabrera DH | DET

    Tigers' Miguel Cabrera: Strong spring hints at possible strong start to season

    Cabrera has had a good spring, recording a .324 batting average with three home runs and eight RBI in 37 at-bats. He has also walked eight times.

    Miggy's OPS is elite this spring -- it's 1.020 -- so it's not a stretch to think he'll get off to a good start to the season, especially with both J.D. Martinez and Justin Upton in the Tigers' lineup. Cabrera could easily return to his past elite form if injuries are truly in his past.

  • AJ Reed DH | HOU

    Astros' A.J. Reed: Optioned to minor league camp

    Reed was optioned to minor league camp Monday.

    Reed was impressive this spring, hitting .311 with three home runs and nine RBI over 48 Grapefruit League plate appearances with the Astros. Unfortunately, he fell short in his bid to win the Opening Day first base job, but as camp progressed, it was expected he'd open 2016 with Triple-A Fresno because he's never played at that level. The 22-year-old will likely make his big league debut this season, but how soon will depend on how Tyler White performs early in the year.

  • Ryan Goins DH | KC

    Blue Jays' Ryan Goins: Records 10th RBI of spring Sunday

    Goins went 1-for-3 and recorded his 10th RBI of the spring in the Jays' game against the Rays on Sunday.

    He was sidelined by an illness last week, but Goins appears to be healthy again. With Devon Travis still recovering from shoulder surgery, Goins is expected to handle the bulk of the starts at second base for Toronto to begin the season.

  • Indians' Michael Brantley: Won't start season in left field

    Manager Terry Francona confirmed Sunday that Brantley (shoulder) won't begin the season as the Indians' left fielder, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

    Brantley appears poised to avoid a DL stint once Opening Day arrives on April 4, as Francona said that the outfielder will travel with the team. In the short term, though, Brantley has been shut down to give his shoulder a rest, with his last appearance taking place on Monday, March 21. If he indeed misses the first game of the season, Rajai Davis is the leading candidate to start in left field.

  • Indians' Michael Brantley: Likely to start season on DL

    Brantley (shoulder) will likely start the season on the disabled list, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

    Manager Terry Francona said Saturday that Brantley will be sidelined for the remainder of spring training due to his shoulder injury. Brantley has been ahead of schedule in his rehab from offseason shoulder surgery, but it's becoming increasingly clear that he won't quite be ready when the Indians open their season. Rajai Davis is the likely candidate to start in left field on Opening Day.

  • Byron Buxton CF | MIN

    Twins' Byron Buxton: Set for starting center field job

    Buxton is certain to begin the season as Minnesota's starting center fielder with Darin Mastroianni and Carlos Quentin sent to the minors and Ryan Sweeney's release, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

    Buxton is hitting just .243 with 12 strikeouts and just three walks this spring. However, the Twins are looking past his spring numbers given that he'll offer outstanding defense in center field and since he's the top prospect in the organization. He'll likely begin the season hitting ninth in the batting order, but could move to the leadoff spot quickly if he's successful at the plate.

  • Indians' Michael Brantley: Unlikely to be ready for Opening Day

    Brantley (shoulder) is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

    Brantley appeared on track to be ready for Opening Day, but his progress has slowed and that seems doubtful. Cleveland has already been floating a plan to limit Brantley to minor league games so he can be placed on the DL retroactively, so he might not have to miss to much time to start the season. In his absence, several outfielders could see time at left field, including Rajai Davis, Joey Butler, and Marlon Byrd.

  • Indians' Michael Brantley: Indians not concerned about need for rest

    Brantley (shoulder) will be given a few days off from game action after experiencing some problems bouncing back from a pair of games over the last few days, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

    Brantley made his Cactus League debut Saturday and saw action again Monday and the Indians are simply going to give him some time off to let some residual side effects clear up.

  • Ryan Goins DH | KC

    Blue Jays' Ryan Goins: Scratched due to illness

    Goins sat out of Wednesday's game due to illness, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

    Goins is battling a case of the flu, which will likely keep him out of the lineup for a couple of days while he recovers. The versatile utility man is expected to serve as the Blue Jays' every day second basemen for the first part of the season while Devon Travis recovers from shoulder surgery. Look for Goins to get back in the lineup within the next few days and begin the year batting in the bottom third of the Blue Jays' order.

  • Ji-Man Choi 1B | NYM

    Angels' Ji-Man Choi: In the mix for roster spot

    Choi has a chance to earn the final spot on the Angels' bench, the Orange County Register reports.

    As a Rule 5 pick, Choi has to be offered back to the Mariners at half of his $50,000 draft price if the Angels don't want to keep him on their 25-man roster all season. Unless he's able to push his way into the mix for outfield at-bats in left field, Choi will likely be limited to sporadic playing time at first base and DH behind Albert Pujols and C.J. Cron.

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