MLB Player News

Athletics left fielder Yoenis Cespedes started his rehab assignment Thursday at Triple-A Sacramento as he works his way back from a hand injury. He is eligible to be activated from the disabled list Sunday, when it appears he will join the A's.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley picked up two base hits on Wednesday afternoon during a loss at Chicago. Leading off, Brantley scored once in the game. 

The speedster went 2 for 4 in the contest and is batting .265. He's recorded at least one hit in four straight games and is 6 for 18 (.333) over that stretch with three runs scored. Brantley has yet to steal a base this season. 

Athletics manager Bob Melvin said outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (hand) is itching to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento, which now could begin Thursday. Cespedes is still on track to be activated for Sunday's game against the Orioles.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes participated in batting practice Monday for the first time since going on the shelf, MLB.com reports. His injured left hand appeared to be a non-issue. 

Cespedes is expected to continue taking swings in Boston before he begins a two-day rehab stint with Triple-A Sacramento Friday. That should put him on track to return to the A's Sunday, when he's eligible to come off the disabled list. 

"If things go well here," manager Bob Melvin said, "we'll get him a couple of games Friday and Saturday. I'm probably getting ahead of myself, but to be here taking batting practice certainly is a step in the right direction."

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes will take a few swings during batting practice Monday, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. 

Cespedes is hoping to go on a rehab assignment this weekend. He's eligible to be activated from the disabled list Sunday. Cespedes has been sidelined with a hand injury.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is on track to begin a rehab assignment this weekend, according to MLB.com.

Cespedes has been dealing with a hand injury, which has kept him out of the team's lineup. Manager Bob Melvin expects Cespedes to need a few at-bats before he's ready to play in the majors again, so he'll likely play in the minors Friday and Saturday. Cespedes is on pace to be activated Sunday, when he's eligible to come off the disabled list. 

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes did not hit off a tee Sunday, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Cespedes will likely complete that assignment Monday and will take batting practice in Boston. 

There is talk Cespedes could play in a rehab game or two by the end of the week. Cespedes took two-handed swings Saturday and declared himself ready for games. 

Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera was one of the few players on his team to record a hit on Saturday against the Angels. He went 1 for 3 with a double in the 10-0 loss. Detroit mustered just four hits in the shutout.

The 30-year-old also extended his hitting streak to six games in the defeat.

Cabrera has hit safely in 10 of the previous 11 contests and is batting .367 (18 for 49) with two homers and 12 RBI during that stretch.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (hand) was able to take two-handed swings in the batting cage Saturday, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Hitting coach Chili Davis said they were about five controlled swings and it was approved by the coaching staff.

"I'm ready," Cespedes said when asked about his return.

Apparently, the swelling has gone down enough for him to take two-handed swings and that is the biggest hurdle. He's not eligible to come off the disabled list until April 28.

The Astros announced Saturday that outfielder J.D. Martinez, who left Friday's game with a sprained right knee, has been placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Martinez homered Friday before being replaced, leaving him with a .244/.271/.444 line and two home runs in 48 plate appearances.