MLB Player News

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Friday outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is feeling "so-so" after leaving Thursday's spring game due to tightness in his left quad, per MLB.com. Ausmus said Cespedes is penciled into the lineup for a split-squad game Saturday, but he would be surprised if Cespedes plays.

Cespedes, who was acquired in an offseason trade with Boston, is batting .313 (5 for 16) with one double, one home run and five RBI in six spring games. He also has five runs, one walk and one stolen base.

Cespedes is entering the final year of his contract. He is slated to make $10.5 million in 2015.

Tigers head athletic trainer Kevin Rand said Thursday first baseman Miguel Cabrera (ankle) ran sprints Thursday, per MLB.com. Cabrera has also been cleared for lateral movements on grounders.

Tigers outfielder Yoenis Cespedes left Thursday's game with tightness in his left quad, per MLB.com and is day-to-day. 

Cespedes already has missed time due to back soreness this spring, his first with the Tigers after being acquired from the Red Sox in the offseason. 

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller blasted two home runs in Monday's 4-3 win over the Indians. So far this spring, Miller is 4 for 6 and gaining confidence at the plate, reports SeattlePI.com.

"I'll take them in singles, doubles, pairs, whatever," said Miller. "It was awesome, especially early. We know we're probably going to get a couple of at-bats, and you just want to make the most of them."

Miller is battling with Chris Taylor to become the team's shortstop when the regular season begins and was given the start Monday. Taylor also played, but at second base, with Robinson Cano away from the team after a death in the family.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera has been cleared to take ground balls, MLive.com reports.

Manager Brad Ausmus said Sunday that Cabrera, who is working his way back from an ankle injury, "looked good" taking grounders Saturday. The first baseman has yet to be cleared for lateral movement.

Cabrera hit .313/.371/.524 with 25 home runs and 109 RBI in 611 at-bats in 2014.

Tigers outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, who was  scratched from the lineup Thursday against Atlanta due to lower back tightness, returned to the lineup Saturday, starting in left field and hitting cleanup against the Braves, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley (back) went 0 for 3 in his spring debut Thursday against the Reds.

Manager Terry Francona said Monday that Brantley was expected to make his debut Thursday, and the outfielder was able to play after dealing with a sore lower back earlier this spring. He hit .327/.385/.506 with 20 home runs, 97 RBI and 23 stolen bases in 611 at-bats last season.

Tigers outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was scratched from the lineup Thursday against Atlanta due to lower back tightness, according to the team's official website. Cespedes was acquired in an offseason trade with the Red Sox. He hit a grand slam in his first spring training at-bat in a Tigers uniform.

Cespedes will not be in the Tigers will face the Mets on Friday in Port St. Lucie. He's likely to return Saturday against Atlanta, per the Detroit Free Press.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (ankle) has run at 72 percent body weight on the AlterG anti-gravity treadmill, manager Brad Ausmus said Thursday. Once Cabrera can run at 80 percent body weight, he will be cleared to run on flat ground and have grounders hit directly at him.

"He should be really close," Ausmus said, per the Detroit Free Press.

Cabrera participated in batting practice on the field Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

"He was hitting balls 425 feet out to left-center," Ausmus said.

Yoenis Cespedes made quite the impression in his first game in a Tigers uniform Tuesday. Cespedes, who was acquired in an offseason trade with the Red Sox, clubbed a grand slam in his spring debut, helping Detroit to a 15-2 win over Baltimore.

In his first at-bat, Cespedes popped out to first baseman Christian Walker in the first inning and then flied out to right field in his second at-bat. However, in his third at-bat he connected for a grand slam down the left-field line off Oliver Drake to put Detroit ahead 11-0.