MLB Player News

Brantley (shoulder) grounded out in a pair of at-bats in a minor-league game Thursday.

Results aren't important at this point for Brantley as he looks to take the next steps in his rehab as Opening Day approaches. Don't be alarmed if he's given a day off Friday after making his exhibition play debut Thursday.

Scouts believe Reed could benefit from more time in the minors so he can improve against left-handed pitching, Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Reed is 8-for-28 (.286) with two doubles, a home run and four RBI through 14 Grapefruit League games. The 22-year-old has lacked plate discipline this spring, as he's only taken one free pass compared to 10 strikeouts, but he walked at an 11.4 percent clip at Double-A last season. He has seen plenty of time at first base (48.2 Grapefruit League innings) and has performed well defensively (zero errors in 42 total chances). While he's done well in camp, Reed hasn't necessarily separated himself from Tyler White (.345) or Jonathan Singleton (.143) in the Astros' first base competition. It's a battle that will likely continue through the end of spring training.

Goins is positioned to see an expanded role at second base to the begin the season with Devon Travis (shoulder) out until at least May.

Even if he's used as the primary option at second base, Goins will hit at or near the bottom of the Toronto lineup. This spring, he's gone 8-for-25 (.320) at the plate while chipping in a stolen base. If Darwin Barney makes the Opening Day roster, Goins could wind up on the large side of a platoon until Travis is healthy enough to return.

Martinez is tied for the team lead in home runs with four this spring.

Martinez is one of the most underrated players in the game today. He is one of only nine players to accumulate 60 or more homers with an OPS of at least .890 over the last two seasons. He's not the Tigers' biggest name and that means he'll likely drop further in your draft than guys like Miggy, VMart or even Justin Upton. But his value may be even greater than it has been in the last two years if those big boppers in the Detroit lineup have big years.

Buxton was scratched from Wednesday's lineup due to illness, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

This shouldn't have an impact on his fantasy value as long as it doesn't develop into something more serious. Buxton is hitting just .200/.261/.300 through eight games this spring, but he is slotted to be the starting center fielder come Opening Day.

Brantley (shoulder) will play in a minor league spring game Thursday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Brantley is expected to play four or five innings in the outfield and get "a few" at-bats Thursday in what will be his first game action since November shoulder surgery. While the outfielder is ahead of schedule, he remains without a timetable to make his Cactus League debut.

Brantley's (shoulder) first game action figures to come in a minor league game later this month, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The Indians medical staff still hasn't cleared Brantley for game action and his presence in a minor league won't necessarily put him on track to open the season with the Indians. We'll have a better idea of an eventual return date if he's able to participate in an exhibition game before spring wraps up.

Vargas is hitting just 1-for-17 in eight games this spring. He doesn't appear to be in Minnesota's plans for the major league roster, LaVelle Neal of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Vargas began last season as Minnesota's starting DH after hitting .274/.316/.456 with nine home runs in 53 games in his major league debut in 2015. He struggled in his second season with a .642 OPS and just five home runs in 47 games before being demoted to the minors in early July. He then hit 13 home runs with a .910 OPS between Double-A and Triple-A. However, the Twins signed Byung-ho Park in the offseason which pushes Vargas farther down the depth chart.

Brantley (shoulder) took batting practice Friday for the first time this spring, MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez reports.

He continues to progress in his recovery without setbacks, and it remains to be seen what the next step will be. This upcoming week will be a big stretch for his Opening Day chances. It still seems unlikely that he will be ready for the start of the season, but if he can get into game action next week, all bets are off.

Canha is written in the Athletics' lineup for Friday's game as the starting left fielder, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Canha has not played in a Cactus League game yet due to a back injury, but it appears that manager Bob Melvin is confident enough in his health to get him into the lineup Friday. He may not play many innings, but getting back to game action is a good sign for the 27-year-old.