MLB Player News

Though Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez was able to break a seven-game hitless streak Saturday, he has managed just two hits in 25 at-bats in the month of May.

Martinez jumped out to a hot start this season, collecting four home runs in his first seven games, but it's been largely downhill since. He's managed to battle the offensive woes by drawing eight walks in his last five games, but the outfielder is hitting just .222/.295/.436 with six home runs and 15 RBI in 117 at-bats. Those numbers are more in line with his early-career production rather than his breakout 2014 campaign.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera went 0 for 3 with a walk in Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Royals and has just six hits in 31 at-bats this month.

Cabrera was his normal MVP-quality self in April, hitting .373/.465/.627 with five home runs and 17 RBI in 83 at-bats. Aside from a three-hit game in which he homered on May 3, he's had yet to find success since the calendar turned. Cabrera has hit just .186/.327/.209 this May, but it's unlikely the minislump lasts long. Even with the May doldrums, he's hit .325/.431/.535 with six home runs, 21 RBI and a 21:21 K:BB ratio in 114 at-bats.

The Mariners scratched shortstop Chris Taylor from Sunday's lineup. He's being given X-rays after being stepped on in Saturday's game, per Seattle's 710 AM radio.

Those X-rays showed that Taylor has a bruise above his pinky, but the injury should not keep the shortstop out for an extended period of time. 

Brad Miller will replace Taylor in the lineup. 

Athletics left fielder Mark Canha is not in the team's starting lineup for Sunday's game. 

Sam Fuld gets his third start of the year in left field, batting eighth in the lineup. 

Twins designated hitter Kennys Vargas wasn't in the team's starting lineup for Sunday's game at Cleveland.

Torii Hunter moved from right field to replace Vargas at DH. It's his fourth start of the year there. Eddie Rosario replaces Hunter in right, batting seventh in the order. It's his third start in right this season.

The Twins are +145 money-line underdogs on the road. 

Athletics first baseman Mark Canha went 1 for 4 at the plate in Oakland's 7-2 loss to the Mariners on Saturday.

Canha did his only damage in the eighth inning when he ripped a Danny Farquhar pitch over the left field wall for a solo home run, his fith of the season. Canha is now hitting .258 with 15 RBI in 93 at-bats this season.

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon is switching things up a bit with Brad Miller, who normally plays shortstop shifting to the outfield, according to The News Tribune.

McClendon isn't worried about the adjustment for Miller.

"I don't think you're going to see Miller doing a lot of DHing," McClendon said. "He will DH a little bit, but not a lot. I don't think he’s going to have a problem fielding a ground ball on the infield. He knows how to do that. The biggest challenge right now is the outfield."

Miller lost his starting role at shortstop when the team called up Chris Taylor.

"I'm not too concerned about sticking a first base mitt on him and saying, 'Field a ground ball at first base and toss it to the pitcher.' I think he has the ability to do that."

Athletics catcher Stephen Vogt is out of the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Mariners, the team announced. 

Vogt has started five of the last seven games for Oakland and is hitting .322 with seven home runs with 25 RBI in 90 at-bats. Josh Phegley will replace him behind the plate. Center fielder Sam Fuld will also get a day off with Billy Burns drawing the start in center. Burns is hitting .286 in 28 at-bats this season.

Ike Davis will also get a break as Mark Canha will draw the start at first base. Davis has started 13 games in a row for Oakland.

Indians left fielder Michael Brantley went 1 for 4 with a solo home run in his team's 9-3 loss to the Twins Friday.

Brantley hit a shot to center field in the eighth inning, but with his team down 8-2 by the team he came to the plate, his homer didn't affect the final result. In the midst of an eight-game hitting streak, Brantley owns a .337/.400/.535 line with three home runs, 15 RBI and four stolen bases in 86 at-bats.

Alcides Escobar returned to the Royals' starting lineup on Friday. Escobar was activated from the 7-day disabled list earlier in the day. He will play shortstop and lead off. 

Christian Colon, who started all seven games that Escobar missed, moves to third base to replace Mike Moustakas, placed on the bereavement list earlier in the day. It's the first start Moustakas has missed this season.

Colon will bat ninth.