MLB Player News

Red Sox outfielder Yoenis Cespedes provided all of the team's offense Friday, in a 5-3 loss to the Mariners.

Cespedes had just one hit in the game, but it was a big one, as he got the Red Sox on the board with a three-run home run. He finished the game 1 for 4 with three RBI and one run scored, while striking out twice.

Cespedes had gone six games since his last home run, and is hitting just .230/.237/.446 with four home runs in 19 games for the Red Sox. 

Red Sox outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is back in the starting lineup Friday against the Mariners, after leaving Thursday's game due to a family issue. He is batting fourth and starting in left field for the opener of a three-game series at home. 

Red Sox outfielder Yoenis Cespedes left Thursday's game due to a "family medical emergency."

Manager John Farrell did not want to get into specifics regarding the issue out of respect to Cespedes. The club is hopeful that Cespedes will be able to play Friday. He was replaced by Will Middlebrooks in the fourth inning. 

Red Sox outfielder Yoenis Cespedes left Thursday's game due to a personal matter.

Cespedes left in the top of the fourth inning. He was replaced by Will Middlebrooks. Cespedes struck out in his only at-bat of the game. 

I've got to hand it to Al Melchior: His predictions this year have been spot-on.

To say I didn't like Kennys Vargas would be inaccurate. Back on Aug. 5, I touted him under the headline "Kennys Vargas could surprise people." But I wasn't willing to endorse him over Kendrys Morales and Steve Pearce, as Al did Thursday morning on the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast.

So of course that afternoon, Vargas goes 3 for 4 with a homer. The timing is incredible.

I'm still not willing to endorse him over Morales, who has a steady track record, or Pearce, who CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman spoke enthusiastically about on Thursday's Fantasy Baseball Today, but he's now officially surprised people. No "could" about it.

Given his strikeout rate, his batting average could be in for a steep regression, but I think Vargas deserves at least as much hype as C.J. Cron got earlier this season. His ownership rate reached 56 percent at one point. Vargas' is currently 35.

Twins designated hitter Kennys Vargas went yard Thursday against the Indians. 

Vargas struck in the bottom of the fourth inning. He took a 93 mph sinker from Corey Kluber out to left for a solo shot. Vargas would also double and single during the outing. He finished 3 for 4, with two runs scored and one RBI. 

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera was serving as the designated hitter for Thursday's game against the Rays after aggravating an ankle injury Wednesday, manager Brad Ausmus told reporters.

Cabrera has served as the DH in 13 of his 123 games this season. Ausmus does not think this injury is much of a concern moving forward. 

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez clubbed his 17th home run Tuesday against the Rays.

Martinez waited until the eighth inning to strike. He led off the inning by taking a 75 mph curveball out to center field for the solo shot. Martinez would also single during the contest. He finished 2 for 5, with one run scored and one RBI. 

Twins rookie first baseman/DH Kennys Vargas doubled, homered and drove in three runs during a 12-6 loss Sunday against the Royals. He finished 3 for 4 with two runs.

Vargas gave Minnesota a 1-0 lead in the first inning with an RBI single off Jeremy Guthrie. He came back in the fifth inning to cut the deficit to 9-4 with a two-run homer off Guthrie.

Vargas has hit safely in all but three of 15 games since his promotion from the minors. He is batting .317 with three home runs, two doubles and 15 RBI.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley made his only hit in four at-bats Saturday against the Orioles count, as he hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning. The home run gave Cleveland a 6-0 lead, which would be the final score, and chased starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez from the game.

Brantley has homered three time in his last 19 games. However, he is batting .351 with a .595 slugging percentage, .992 OPS, one triple, seven doubles, 10 runs and 17 RBI in that span.