MLB Player News

As expected, Indians outfielder Michael Brantley missed a fourth straight start Wednesday against the White Sox due to a back injury. Mike Aviles started in left field Wednesday after Jerry Sands started in Brantley's absence the previous two days.

The Indians are considered favorites (-135) for Wednesday's game.

Twins switch hitters Kennys Vargas and Danny Santana are both working to calibrate their swings from both sides on a daily basis, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Wednesday. 

"I never feel 100 percent from both sides of the plate," said Vargas. "When my right side is good, my left is like 50 percent. It's never the same. I try to maintain both swings, but it's tough."

Vargas is hitting .400 (4 for 10) against left-handers and .091 (1 for 11) against right-handers this season. Santana is batting .250 (3 for 12) against right-handers and .167 (2 for 12) against southpaws.

"I never feel good from both sides," Santana said. "It's always better from one side than the other. Never the same."

Athletics manager Bob Melvin has liked the early returns from rookie outfielder Mark Canha. So much so, Canha is becoming a regular in the starting lineup, reports MLB.com.

"That wasn't the plan," said Melvin, smiling. "Now, he's made his opportunities as I've said, and with Coco out, he's gotten the opportunity, so you gotta give him credit. He's getting good at-bats off whoever they're running out there."

Canha is hitting .367 with a home run and seven RBI in his first 30 at-bats this season.

Indians left fielder Michael Brantley is unlikely to play Wednesday afternoon against the White Sox, FOX Sports Ohio reports.

"I think he's really trending in a good way," manager Terry Francona said, per MLB.com. "If you see him playing tomorrow, he's perfect. Because, with the day off [Thursday], we want to make sure we get him going in the right direction and keep him going in the right direction."

Brantley, who is dealing with a back injury, is going through a full workout Tuesday. It's possible he'll be ready to return after Thursday's off day. The outfielder has played in just two games, going 1 for 8 at the plate.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley and third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall are out of the starting lineup Tuesday, but are available to come off the bench, the team announced.

Brantley, who is dealing with a back injury, has played just two games this season while battling the injury. Jerry Sands will fill in for Brantley in left field. Chisenhall has started all six games for Cleveland at third so far this season and will get the day off. He will be replaced by Mike Aviles, who will bat second.

The Indians are currently the favorites (-127) over the White Sox.

Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez went 1 for 3 Monday in Detroit's 5-4 loss to the Pirates. Martinez struggled early on in the game before finally breaking through in the ninth inning, ripping a 1-1 pitch from Mark Melancon to right field, driving in Miguel Cabrera.

It was Martinez's fourth home run in his first 31 at-bats and is now hitting .290 on the year.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley could be out with a back injury until at least the weekend, reports FOX Sports. 

Brantley, who has played just once since Opening Day due to lingering back issues, will take batting practice Tuesday. However, with Cleveland slated to face lefties Tuesday and Wednesday, and with an off-day Thursday, Brantley could be held out until Friday at Minnesota. 

The Indians are trying to get Brantley back to 100 percent, according to FOX Sports reporter Ken Rosenthal.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera is the first Detroit player since 1952 to record at least 11 hits in a three-game span, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Cabrera had at least three hits in each game during a three-game series against the Indians, which started Friday. He went 11 for 14 (.786) with one double, two home runs, four runs and six RBI against Cleveland. He also had one walk, one strikeout and one stolen base.

Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez went 3 for 5 for a home run and three RBI in his team's 8-5 win over the Indians Sunday.

Martinez picked up two RBI on a second-inning single before tacking on one more with his ninth-inning home run, which is already his third of the season. He's 8 for 28 with seven RBI over the first week of play.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera went 4 for 4 with one walk, one double, two home runs and four RBI in his team's 8-5 win over the Indians Sunday.

Cabrera had been heating up over the weekend, going 3 for 5 and 4 for 5 in his first two games against the Indians, but he hadn't homered this season before smacking two balls over the fence Sunday. He's now 13 for 25 with four walks, two home runs and eight RBI in six games.

Cabrera will look to keep rolling in a series against the Pirates in Pittsburgh starting Monday.