MLB Player News

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley's absence from the lineup Tuesday was due to concussion-like symptoms, but manager Terry Francona told MLB.com he hopes it will end up being just a precautionary move.

"He's going to go over for further testing, get some imaging [done], things like that," Francona said. "You have a head injury and you play and something happens, you're talking about something pretty serious. We're going to err on the side of caution."

Brantley passed all preliminary concussion tests following Monday's game, but started to feel symptoms while warming up Tuesday. He was sent to a local hospital for testing, and is day-to-day at this point. 

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley was initially announced as a starter Tuesday against the Angels, but was scratched from the lineup hours before first pitch due to head and neck soreness.

Brantley took a shot to the head Monday while sliding into second base, and is still dealing with the lingering effects.  He is at a local hospital undergoing testing, and is officially day to day at this point. 

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley left Monday's game after taking a blow to the head while sliding into second base, but he was back in the lineup Tuesday against the Angels.

Athletics left fielder Yoenis Cespedes cracked a three-run homer and had four RBI in Monday's 14-8 loss to the Rangers. Cespedes went 1 for 3 with a walk and a sacrifice fly, upping his average to .259/.309/.502.

Cespedes has 13 homers and 48 RBI in 259 at-bats.

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller went 1 for 3 with a walk and a solo home run in his team's 5-1 win over the Padres Monday.

Miller had hit just one home run since April 11 before knocking his second homer of June Monday. While he's been better at the plate this month, Miller still owns a .179/.250/.296 line with five home runs, 17 RBI and three stolen bases in 196 at-bats.

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez went 1 for 3 with a ninth-inning grand slam Monday, but it wasn't enough to avoid an 11-8 loss to the Royals.

Martinez took over for Torii Hunter, who left the game in the fourth inning with a hamstring cramp, and he pushed his team to within three runs with his home run in the ninth, but they would get no closer. Martinez has hit .270/.309/.494 with four home runs and 20 RBI in 89 at-bats.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley was removed from Monday's game against the Angels after taking a blow to the head on a slide into second base, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Brantley was removed for precautionary reasons, and the nature of the injury makes it likely he'll undergo concussion testing before being cleared to return to the field. After going 1 for 2 with an RBI Monday, Brantley has hit .323/.391/.519 with 11 home runs, 46 RBI and nine stolen bases in 266 at-bats.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley got two more hits Sunday, including his 11th homer. He's 14 of 26 (.538) with two homers and three doubles over his past seven games. Brantley will try to stay hot Monday in the opener of a four-game series against the Angels.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera returned to the field Thursday.

Cabrera has been limited by hamstring issues over the past few days, but was able to serve as the team's designated hitter recently. He's apparently recovered enough to play the field Thursday. Cabrera is hitting .326/.375/.572 over 236 at-bats.

Athletics slugger Yoenis Cespedes remained torrid at the plate Wednesday against the Angels. He extended his hitting streak to nine games, during which he owns a .366 average, with a three-hit performance.

One of those hits was a double, but it was his two singles that drove in runs. Cespedes has raised his average to .261, it's highest point since May 18.