MLB Player News

Athletics catcher Stephen Vogt will become the third different player to hit third in the batting on Thursday against the Rangers, per MLB.com. Manager Bob Melvin went with Sam Fuld in the opener, followed by Eric Sogard in Game 2 and newcomer Cody Ross in Game 3.

"Somebody's got to hit there," Vogt said, per the San Francisco Chronicle. "That's a spot where we're trying to find who the right guy will be."

Mark Canha will hit No. 7 in Vogt's place.

Oakland will face right-hander Nick Martinez on Thursday. Vogt is hitting .429 (3 for 7) with a double, a home run and an RBI to start the season.

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller collected his second multihit game in three appearances during Wednesday's game against the Angels. Miller went 2 for 4 with a solo home run off Matt Shoemaker in the third inning.

Miller is batting .400 (4 for 10) with one home run, one RBI and two runs.

Athletics rookie Mark Canha had a big performance in his major-league debut Wednesday against the Rangers. He totaled three hits, including two doubles, and four RBI. He also had one run.

Canha almost had his first career home run in the bottom of the third inning, but the baseball hit the top of the right-center-field wall, so Canha had to settle for a three-run double.

"From the angle that I was running it looked like it might have hit off the wall then hit off one of those beams that's in the background there," Canha said, per MLB.com. "I really wanted the first one to be a grand slam. I thought that would have been cool. Just missed it."

Indians All-Star outfielder Michael Brantley missed a second straight start Thursday against the Astros due to a back injury. David Murphy started in left field Thursday after Mike Aviles drew the start in Brantley's absence Wednesday.

Brantley, who was hitless in four at-bats during his season debut Monday, will be evaluated by the doctors in Cleveland on Friday.

"He's a little stiff," Francona said, per Cleveland.com. "We'll try to stay away from him [Thursday] and get him looked at [Friday] morning, just to get a little more clarity. The doctors who have all looked at him think they have a bead on it, but it just keeps acting up on him. Hopefully the more information we get, the better feel we have and we can get him back out there playing."

Brantley has been plagued by back issues since arriving for spring training in mid-February. He was excused from some drills early in camp and missed some spring games due to his back problems.

Francona added Brantley "felt great" Wednesday before his back tightened up on him.

Indians manager Terry Francona said Wednesday that he's "hopeful" outfielder Michael Brantley, who was scratched from Wednesday's lineup with a back injury, will return to the lineup Thursday but that he's uncertain of Brantley's availability, the Northeast Ohio Media Group reports.

"If he doesn't," Francona said, "I'd rather it be a day or two than a week or two. He's battled this on and off all spring. We just want to get a handle on it."

Brantley also dealt with back issues this spring and was able to play in Monday's season opener, going 0 for 4 at the plate.

"The doctors have looked at him and I don't think there's any real concern structurally, but it hurts," Francona said. "We'll see how he feels [Thursday] and we'll certainly get him looked at when he gets home."

The Indians head to Cleveland Friday to open a weekend series against the Tigers.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley was a late scratch from Wednesday's lineup due to lower back stiffness, the team announced.

Brantley also dealt with back issues late in spring training. He went 0 for 4 on Opening Day. With Brantley sidelined, Mike Aviles will play left field and bat ninth.

The Athletics will use their third new lineup in as many days Wednesday against the Rangers, starting Mark Canha at first base, Josh Phegley at catcher and Tyler Ladendorf at second base, the team announced.

Canha will replace Ike Davis at first and make his first career appearance in the majors. Phegley will replace Stephen Vogt at catcher and is hitting .207 with seven home runs and 29 RBI in his career. Ladendorf will replace Eric Sogard at second and make just his third career appearance in the majors.

Tigers outfielder Yoenis Cespedes had his first double and triple of the season during Monday's season opener against the Twins. Both of Cespedes' extra-base hits came off Twins starting pitcher Phil Hughes.

Cespedes, who scored twice Monday, hit .311 with one triple, three doubles, five home runs and 11 RBI in 22 spring games. He had his 16th career triple in Monday's 4-0 win.

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez connected for just one hit in four at-bats during Monday's season opener against the Twins, but he at least made it count.

Martinez gave Detroit a 1-0 lead with a solo home run off Phil Hughes leading off a three-run second inning. 

Martinez, who hit a career-high 23 home runs in 2014, connected for five home runs this spring. He also hit .313 with four doubles, 11 RBI and 14 runs in 24 games.

After some initial concerns Miguel Cabrera (ankle) and Victor Martinez (knee) might not be ready for the start of the season after both players underwent surgery in the offseason, they were able to make it into the Tigers' Opening Day lineup against the Twins. Cabrera is batting third and playing at first base, while Martinez is the DH and batting cleanup.

On the mound for Minnesota is right-hander Phil Hughes. Martinez is batting .259 (7 for 27) with no home runs, two doubles and two RBI in his career against Hughes, while Cabrera is batting .471 (16 for 34) with four doubles, five home runs and 12 RBI against Hughes.