MLB Player News

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley clubbed his fifth home run Friday against the White Sox.

Brantley took an 85 mph cutter from John Danks out to right field to lead off the fifth inning. He had already collected a single during the contest. The following inning, Brantley added another single, which drove in a run. 

He finished the contest 3 for 5, with two runs scored and three RBI.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes played the field for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury. He returned to the lineup Tuesday as a designated hitter and is now no longer hampered by the injury, manager Bob Melvin told MLB.com on Friday.

"That's why we kind of took it easy the first couple of days," said manager Bob Melvin. "You never know until he actually gets out there, but we feel like he's ready to go."

Indians top hitter Michael Brantley, who has been slumping on the current road trip, is out of the lineup for the game Wednesday against the Angels. He is apparently just getting a rest day, per the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Mike Aviles is set to take his spot in left field.

A hitless weekend in San Francisco cooled off torrid Indians left fielder Michael Brantley and he has remained rather chilly.

Brantley finally ended a hitless streak that had reached 17 at-bats with an opposite-field double Tuesday night against the Angels. His batting average has dropped from .296 to .255 over the last five games. But he remains tied for seventh in the American League with 20 RBI.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes rejoined the starting lineup Tuesday at Texas after missing four games due to a hamstring injury. Cespedes, however, did not return to the field and was the team's DH.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin told reporters that outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is "50-50" to return to the lineup Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Cespedes went through running drills on Monday, as he continues to work his way back from a hamstring injury. He is hitting .238 in 84 at-bats.

Blue Jays second baseman Ryan Goins was optioned down to Triple-A Buffalo Monday night, MLB.com reports. The team has not yet announced a corresponding move to replace him on the current roster.

Goins batted .150 with one home run and one RBI in 60 at-bats.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes will likely return to the starting lineup Tuesday if all goes well with his running drills Monday, MLB.com reports.

If Cespedes runs without issue, he could also be used off the bench in Monday's game against the Rangers. He has been out since Thursday while dealing with a hamstring issue.

As expected, Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes did not return to the starting lineup Monday against the Rangers, missing a fourth straight start. Manager Bob Melvin indicated during a radio interview Monday he expects Cespedes back in the lineup Tuesday.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin told MLB Network Radio he doesn't expect outfielder Yoenis Cespedes to be in the lineup Monday at Texas. However, he doesn't expect him to be sidelined for long.

"Probably won't start (Monday), and I'm not sure if I can use him off the bench. But he should be back (Tuesday)," Melvin said. 

Melvin added Cespedes might DH for a day or two before returning to the field.