MLB Player News

Tigers catcher Alex Avila and Yoenis Cespedes are in the starting lineup for Monday's spring game against the Cardinals.

Avila was pulled from Wednesday's game with lower back stiffness. He was initially scheduled to return Friday before being crossed off the team's travel roster. Cespedes came out of Thursday's game with quad tightness and was not expected to appear Sunday or Monday, but he'll make his return to action in Jupiter against the Cardinals.

The Indians continue to battle a stomach bug that's spreading through the locker room. 

On Sunday, outfielder Michael Brantley and pitcher Cody Anderson were scratched after being laid up with flu-like symptoms. 

Meanwhile, Brandon Moss, who missed the last two games with illness, returned to the Indians lineup on Sunday. Moss was fourth in the Indians' lineup, playing right field. 

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera and designated Victor Martinez are both running bases for the first time since undergoing surgery, according to MLB.com.

Cabrera, 31, had surgery to remove bone spurs from his ankle back in October. The first baseman finished 2014 with a batting average of .313 with 25 homeruns.

Martinez tore the medial meniscus in his left knee in February. In 2014 he batted .335 with 32 homeruns.

The Tigers are hopeful that both players will be ready to go by opening day, but there is no definite timetable for their respective returns.

An MRI on Mariners shortstop Chris Taylor's wrist revealed a fractured triquetrum bone in his right wrist, the team announced on Saturday. 

Taylor fouled a pitch off the wrist on Friday. 

The injury will keep Taylor out of action for four-to-six weeks, ending his spring training and giving Brad Miller the shortstop job to start the season. 

Tigers outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is set to take batting practice on Saturday, but isn't on the team's travel roster to go to Jupiter on Sunday and Monday, per MLive.com.

Cespedes left Thursday's Grapefruit League game with tightness in his left quad, and has not been able to return since. He did reveal that his left quad is feeling better on Saturday. He is hitting .313 with one double, one home run and five RBI in six spring games.

Barring a last-minute trip to join his teammates in Jupiter, the next opportunity for him to return to the lineup will come against Washington in Lakeland.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Friday outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is feeling "so-so" after leaving Thursday's spring game due to tightness in his left quad, per MLB.com. Ausmus said Cespedes is penciled into the lineup for a split-squad game Saturday, but he would be surprised if Cespedes plays.

Cespedes, who was acquired in an offseason trade with Boston, is batting .313 (5 for 16) with one double, one home run and five RBI in six spring games. He also has five runs, one walk and one stolen base.

Cespedes is entering the final year of his contract. He is slated to make $10.5 million in 2015.

Tigers head athletic trainer Kevin Rand said Thursday first baseman Miguel Cabrera (ankle) ran sprints Thursday, per MLB.com. Cabrera has also been cleared for lateral movements on grounders.

Tigers outfielder Yoenis Cespedes left Thursday's game with tightness in his left quad, per MLB.com and is day-to-day. 

Cespedes already has missed time due to back soreness this spring, his first with the Tigers after being acquired from the Red Sox in the offseason. 

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller blasted two home runs in Monday's 4-3 win over the Indians. So far this spring, Miller is 4 for 6 and gaining confidence at the plate, reports SeattlePI.com.

"I'll take them in singles, doubles, pairs, whatever," said Miller. "It was awesome, especially early. We know we're probably going to get a couple of at-bats, and you just want to make the most of them."

Miller is battling with Chris Taylor to become the team's shortstop when the regular season begins and was given the start Monday. Taylor also played, but at second base, with Robinson Cano away from the team after a death in the family.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera has been cleared to take ground balls, MLive.com reports.

Manager Brad Ausmus said Sunday that Cabrera, who is working his way back from an ankle injury, "looked good" taking grounders Saturday. The first baseman has yet to be cleared for lateral movement.

Cabrera hit .313/.371/.524 with 25 home runs and 109 RBI in 611 at-bats in 2014.