MLB Player News

Indians left fielder Michael Brantley went 4 for 4 in Saturday's loss to Detroit. 

Brantley doubled twice and drove in Cleveland's only run of the game. He's now hitting .359, 73 points higher than he started the day. Brantley has four doubles and six RBI. 

"It feels good," Brantley said to MLB.com. "You always want to contribute and do the best that you can for your team each and every day. I'll continue to work hard and keep pushing the guys like they are pushing me and we're going to be fine."

Miguel Cabrera was walked his first four times up on Saturday, as the Tigers beat Cleveland, 4-1. 

Cabrera became the first Tiger to draw four walks in a game since Matt Tuiasosopo on May 19, 2013. Three of the walks were intentional. He was the first Tiger to get three intentional walks in a game since he did it on August 15, 2010, and he's the first MLB player to do it since Adam Dunn on June 5, 2013.

"He's an unusual hitter," manager Terry Francona said to MLive.com. "Sometimes it depends on the situation, the outs, who's pitching. There's all kinds of things that go into it."

Cabrera made an out in his only at bat of the day. 

"They are either going to pitch him delicately or they're going to walk him," right fielder Rajai Davis said. "It is what it is. They were very careful. They know what he did in Cleveland and they obviously remember it."

Athletics left fielder Mark Canha was not listed in the team's starting lineup for Saturday's game. In his place, Cody Ross gets his second start of the season in left, batting eighth. 

Ross also has four starts in right this year. 

The A's are -115 money line favorites at home against Houston. 

Twins designated hitter Kennys Vargas has yet to find a rhythm at the plate this season. Vargas is hitting just .186 with one home run and three RBI in 43 at-bats this season. Manager Paul Molitor thinks Vargas is pressing too much at the plate, according to MLB.com

"He's really hungry to get consistent, but if I have any fears for him it's that he hits too much," Molitor said. "Whenever we hit extra, he's always in the cage. He's trying to always repeat swings to take it into the game. He's a strong enough man to handle, but when you talk about over the course of the year, it's going to add up for him. So we might have to back him off."

Blue Jays infielder Ryan Goins totaled three RBI during a 13-6 win Tuesday vs. Baltimore. He has a two-run single in the bottom of the second and an RBI single in the bottom of the third.

Goins, who is a backup infielder, is batting .286 (4 for 14) with three RBI, one walk, one run and five strikeouts in five games.

Twins designated hitter Kennys Vargas and center fielder Shane Robinson are back in the starting lineup Tuesday against the Royals, the team announced.

Vargas has started 11 of the Twins' 13 games this season at DH and is hitting .200 with one home run and three RBI in 40 at-bats. Robinson has made five starts in center and is hitting .368 with three RBI in 19 at-bats.

The Twins are currently the underdogs (+142) against Kansas City.

Blue Jays shortstop Jose Reyes is batting leadoff in Tuesday's matchup against the Orioles, while second baseman Devon Travis is out of the lineup.

Reyes was diagnosed with a small rib fracture last week after feeling a jolt of pain during an at-bat Thursday. He was ruled out through the weekend but is able to return to action Tuesday; however, he'll be limited to batting from the right side against righty Bud Norris.

Travis left Sunday's game after getting hit with a pitch. He escaped serious injury after the team announced he was not dealing with a rib fracture, but he'll take a seat Tuesday. He said that the rib is bruised and sore, but he's not dealing with a pulled muscle or anything more serious, the Toronto Star reports. Ryan Goins will draw the start at second base.

The Blue Jays are favorites (-121) against the Orioles Tuesday.

Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain is back in the starting lineup for Tuesday's matchup with the Twins.

Cain was given his first game off Monday and will be back in the No. 3 spot to face Twins lefty Tommy Milone. He has hit .500/.583/.850 in 20 at-bats against left-handers this season.

Second baseman Omar Infante is out of the lineup Tuesday as expected. Christian Colon draws the start at second base and will bat ninth.

The Royals are favorites (-145) at home Tuesday.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera has ridden a hot start to a .426/.491/.660 line with two home runs and 10 RBI in 47 at-bats over his first two weeks.

Many pitchers focus on getting ahead of batters with a first-pitch strike, but doing so has failed to matter against the two-time MVP. Cabrera has hit a remarkable .500/.545/.833 in 30 at-bats after going 0-1 in the count, with both his home runs coming in such a scenario. He's also been a beast with runners in scoring position, hitting .500/.529/.750 with one home run and eight RBI in 16 at-bats. The slugger will open a four-game series against the Yankees Monday.

Yoenis Cespedes hit his first career grand slam, and his two-homer day produced a career-high six RBI in the Tigers' win over the White Sox on Sunday. 

"I've faced [Quintana] a few times. That doesn't mean, just because I face him, I'm going to have a good game, but I've batted well against him," Cespedes said through Tigers media relations director and translator Aileen Villarreal.

Cespedes went 2 for 4 and raised his average to .300 for the season. He now has three home runs and 10 RBI.