MLB Player News

Brantley (shoulder) will resume his hitting program Friday, MLB.com reports.

Brantley hasn't played in an exhibition game since March 21 due to some lingering shoulder soreness but will look to ramp things back up again Friday before being re-evaluated early next week. He's set to open the season on the DL but the Indians remain hopeful that he'll still be able to return earlier than initially expected.

Canha has had a rough spring so far, hitting only .194 with no homers through 36 at-bats.

Canha had some back stiffness at the start of the spring, which caused him to be a week behind the rest of the offensive players. Canha had a breakout 2015 with 16 homers, but figures to be in a battle for at-bats due to the A's additions this off-season. Canha will likely play first base against lefties in a platoon with Yonder Alonso. He will also get spot starts in the outfield, but the A's outfield is crowded to start the year with the addition of Khris Davis and a currently healthy Coco Crisp.

Miller's role as the full-time shortstop in 2016 was confirmed by manager Kevin Cash, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Cash dismissed any possibility of a platoon with Tim Beckham, who has only managed a .129 average this spring. In turn, Miller, acquired in a November trade with the Mariners, has produced a .296 average with a homer, four RBI and a stolen base over his 27 at-bats. Despite a propensity for some inefficiency at the plate, Miller served as a solid source of extra-base hits, home runs and RBI relative to his 327 at-bats in 2015. With a significant boost in plate appearances on the horizon in the coming season, he could turn into an above-average infield option in all formats.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.