MLB Player News

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.

Twins outfielder Oswaldo Arcia and designated hitter Kennys Vargas are not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against lefty Chris Sale and the White Sox.

The team is going righty-heavy against Sale, with Joe Mauer, who is serving as the team's designated hitter Sunday, the only lefty in the lineup. Third baseman Trevor Plouffe moves across the diamond to play first base, while Eduardo Escobar and Eduardo Nunez enter the lineup in place of Arcia and Vargas.

The Twins are underdogs (+135) against the White Sox Sunday, per VegasInsider.com.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.

Brantley has dealt with back issues over the first week of the season. Manager Terry Francona said the outfielder is feeling a little better Sunday and the hope is that he'll be able to return to action Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Jerry Sands will get the start in left field for the Indians.

The Indians are favorites (-110) against the Tigers Sunday.

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller went 1 for 4 with one double and an RBI in Seattle's 5-4 win over the Athletics in 11 innings. Miller came up in the 11th with a runner on second and took the second pitch he saw from Fernando Abad to left field, driving in Logan Morrison.

"I've faced him a couple different times, and he's tough," Miller said to MLB.com. "He's been throwing well over the last couple days, too. He's got a fastball, slider, curve. He throws everything. But he left a slider up the other way, and I just tried to stay on it."

Miller is now hitting .333 in 15 at-bats this season.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera went 4 for 5 with four singles and one RBI in Saturday's 9-6 win over the Indians. 

Cabrera, who also scored a run, singled in his two first at-bats, but was unable to score. He then singled in the seventh inning to bring home Adrew Romine and give Detroit the lead. He is now hitting .429 on the season.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley was not included in the starting lineup for Saturday's contest against Detroit, per FOX Sports Ohio.

Brantley returned from a two-game absence due to lower back stiffness on Friday, but revealed that he's still experiencing some discomfort. Manager Terry Francona also added on Friday that he would give Brantley some occasional days of rest moving forward. On Saturday Francona revealed that both sides have discussed about a possible stint on the disabled list, but "no one thinks it's needed," per the Northeast Ohio Media Group.

"He wants to play so bad," Francona said. "I just think we need to let this thing settle down, whether that's today, today and tomorrow, we'll see."

With Brantley sidelined, the Indians will have Ryan Raburn at DH, Mike Aviles in left field, and Jerry Sands in right field.