MLB Player News

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley was a late scratch from Wednesday's lineup due to lower back stiffness, the team announced.

Brantley also dealt with back issues late in spring training. He went 0 for 4 on Opening Day. With Brantley sidelined, Mike Aviles will play left field and bat ninth.

The Athletics will use their third new lineup in as many days Wednesday against the Rangers, starting Mark Canha at first base, Josh Phegley at catcher and Tyler Ladendorf at second base, the team announced.

Canha will replace Ike Davis at first and make his first career appearance in the majors. Phegley will replace Stephen Vogt at catcher and is hitting .207 with seven home runs and 29 RBI in his career. Ladendorf will replace Eric Sogard at second and make just his third career appearance in the majors.

Tigers outfielder Yoenis Cespedes had his first double and triple of the season during Monday's season opener against the Twins. Both of Cespedes' extra-base hits came off Twins starting pitcher Phil Hughes.

Cespedes, who scored twice Monday, hit .311 with one triple, three doubles, five home runs and 11 RBI in 22 spring games. He had his 16th career triple in Monday's 4-0 win.

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez connected for just one hit in four at-bats during Monday's season opener against the Twins, but he at least made it count.

Martinez gave Detroit a 1-0 lead with a solo home run off Phil Hughes leading off a three-run second inning. 

Martinez, who hit a career-high 23 home runs in 2014, connected for five home runs this spring. He also hit .313 with four doubles, 11 RBI and 14 runs in 24 games.

After some initial concerns Miguel Cabrera (ankle) and Victor Martinez (knee) might not be ready for the start of the season after both players underwent surgery in the offseason, they were able to make it into the Tigers' Opening Day lineup against the Twins. Cabrera is batting third and playing at first base, while Martinez is the DH and batting cleanup.

On the mound for Minnesota is right-hander Phil Hughes. Martinez is batting .259 (7 for 27) with no home runs, two doubles and two RBI in his career against Hughes, while Cabrera is batting .471 (16 for 34) with four doubles, five home runs and 12 RBI against Hughes.

Twins manager Paul Molitor posted the team's starting lineup for Monday's Opening Day game against the Tigers.

The Twins will face LHP David Price with the following lineup: 

Danny Santana SS, Brian Dozier 2B, Joe Mauer 1B, Torii Hunter RF, Kennys Vargas DH, Trevor Plouffe 3B, Oswaldo Arcia LF, Kurt Suzuki C, Jordan Schafer CF. Phil Hughes will be the starting pitcher.

Athletics first baseman Mark Canha was informed Saturday he will be on the team's Opening Day Roster, reports the Bay Area News Group.

"Having the guys come up like that really meant a lot to me," Canha said. "When you work so hard for so long, to have it validated like it was today is real special."

Canha will be a part of a platoon at first with Ike Davis. He hit .297 with six home runs and 13 RBI in 74 plate appearances this spring.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons told reporters that he'll be using an eight-man bullpen to start the season. He awarded reliever Liam Hendriks the final spot on the roster and sent Ryan Goins to Triple-A Buffalo to start the season, according to Sportsnet.ca.

The right-hander Hendriks allowed four earned runs over 8 2/3 innings of work this spring. The team will go with Steve Tolleson as their emergency shortstop while Goins is in the minors. Goins batted .308 (16 for 52) with two homers and seven RBI in 26 spring games.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera had a solid day at the plate in an 11-5 loss to the Rays on Friday, reports the NY Times.

Cabrera, who hit a home run and a double, drove in three runs. 

For this spring, Cabrera is hitting .280 with three home runs, eight RBI and eight strikeouts.

Blue Jays manager Jon Gibbons confirmed that Todd Redmond and Colt Hynes are on the team to start the season, according to TSN.ca on Wednesday. Barring any changes to the rosters, the last spot on the roster will come down to second baseman Ryan Goins and pitcher Liam Hendriks.