MLB Player News

Athletics first baseman Mark Canha is back with the team on Tuesday after being sent back to the hotel the previous day due to a severe respiratory infection, the Bay Area News Group reports.

Canha is not in the starting lineup but could come off the bench for the Athletics, who are road favorites (-140) in Houston on Tuesday, per VegasInsider.com.

"It seem like we have had it multiple times, but I don't know what you can do about it," manager Bob Melvin said to Bay Area News Group. "When you get guys in close proximity and there's something that's contagious going around, to an extent you try to do the best you can like yesterday, sending Canha home. But you go through these things."

The first baseman has hit .226/.293/.396 with five home runs and 15 RBI in 106 at-bats.

Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez is batting cleanup and left fielder Yoenis Cespedes is batting fifth in Tuesday's matchup with the Brewers.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said on Tuesday that the team would likely continue to go with the pair of outfielders in the fourth and fifth spots while Victor Martinez is on the disabled list, MLive.com reports.

The Tigers are heavy favorites (-175) against the Brewers on Tuesday, per VegasInsider.com.

Tigers left fielder Yoenis Cespedes is not in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Brewers.

Cespedes bent his thumb back while making a defensive play on Saturday but was back in the lineup Sunday. However, he'll get a break Monday, with Rajai Davis taking over in left field.

The Tigers are favorites (-140) at home on Monday, per VegasInsider.com.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera didn't hit a home run for a fourth straight game, but he did drive in the Tigers' only run with a first-inning double in a 2-1 loss to the Cardinals on Sunday night. 

Cabrera put the Tigers on the board first with a double to center and drew a walk later in the game. He's now hitting .333 on the year and is tied for first in the American League with three others with 30 RBI. 

During his five-game hitting streak, Cabrera has nine hits and nine RBIs. 

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller homered again on Sunday, now collecting three long balls in two games.

Miller's hitting, overall, has been heating up as he's nine for his last 21 (.429 avg.) with four homers and five RBI.

"I'm not trying to read too much into what's happening," Miller said to MLB.com. "If you are going to play baseball, you deal with situations. The way to play every day is to be consistent over the long-term. If you worry about things that are out of your control, it can take away from your performance."

The Twins are expected to activate Eduardo Nunez from the disabled list on Tuesday and option Kennys Vargas to Triple-A, according to MLB.com. The team later confirmed the report.

Nunez has been on the 15-day DL with an oblique injury, but has taken batting practice as recently as Sunday. He was hitting .409 with two RBI in 22 at-bats before going on the DL.

Vargas has slowed down after his hot start. He is hitting .250 with 10 RBI in 104 at-bats this season. 

"He needs to go down there and work on his game," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "Trying to take the pressure off him. It's not unusual for a guy to have to do that at some juncture. So it's best for him in the short-term."

Molitor wants Vargas to take the opportunity to work on his confidence at the plate.

"I think more than mechanics right now, it's more about what's in his head when he gets into the batter's box," Molitor said. "You have a guy who can be a valuable part of the middle of your lineup and can be a run producer, but through 100 at-bats it really hasn't happened for him so I think the best thing for him is to go down there and try to find a groove and relax a little bit and hopefully play better."

With regular Athletics first baseman Ike Davis on the 15-day DL, Mark Canha and Max Muncy are expected to split time at first base, manager Bob Melvin said per CSN Bay Area.

Canha is hitting .226/.293/.396 with five home runs in 106 at-bats this season. Muncy is also considered the top backup role at third base and is hitting .222 with one RBI in 18 at-bats. 

Tigers left fielder Yoenis Cespedes hurt his thumb late in Saturday's game, but it didn't keep him out of Sunday's lineup. 

Cespedes bent his thumb back trying to make a catch. He remained in the game, but his availability for Sunday was questionable. 

Twins designated hitter Kennys Vargas is out of the lineup for a second straight game on Sunday.

"I think it's good for him to back off a little bit now and then," manager Paul Molitor said before the game, per the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "We've been doing that. I'm sure it's tough for him. Try to let him know to keep working and your name is going to be called at some point and come back and hopefully he can contribute."

Vargas has picked things up offensively in May, going 15 for 40 with two home runs and six RBI after ending April with a .172/.232/.234 line. However, he's also struck out five times in his last three games.

Mariners designated hitter Brad Miller went 2 for 3 at the plate in Seattle's 4-2 loss to the Red Sox on Saturday. Miller crushed two solo home runs, one in the first inning and the second in the fifth. 

Miller is now hitting .264 with 13 RBI in 106 at-bats this season.