MLB Player News

Jimenez (shoulder) is still at extended spring training but took batting practice Wednesday, independent scout Chris Kusiolek reports.

Kusiolek posted video of Jimenez hitting on the backfields in Arizona, so while it is no doubt annoying dynasty league owners that one of the top prospects in the game has not played in an official game yet this season, he is still participating in baseball activities. It remains unclear when he will be assigned to an affiliate.

Belt is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the Mets, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Belt is having a brutal month at the plate, going just 3-for-25 with 14 strikeouts over eight games, so he gets a chance to clear his head Wednesday. Buster Posey moves to first base while Nick Hundley takes over behind the plate.

Vargas went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run, his fourth of the season, in Tuesday's 7-2 win over the White Sox.

The homer was his second in as many days and third in the last six games to go along with nine RBI, but Vargas only has five hits and an awkward .238/.227/.714 slash line over that stretch. His power surge has moved him into a nearly full-time role as the Twins' DH, but he'll need to solidify his overall performance in order to keep the job.

Miller went 1-for-5 with his second homer and a walk in Tuesday's loss to the Royals.

With 28 walks, Miller and Bryce Harper are tied for the MLB lead. The only difference between the two is, of course, that Harper's hitting .370 with 10 homers, while Miller's languishing at .193 with two homers. There was no reasonably expecting him to duplicate last season's 30 long balls, but Miller's regression shouldn't be nearly this sharp -- he could still heat up and smack 20-plus, though batting average will always be a concern.

Canha was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday.

Canha opened the season as the Athletics' primary reserve outfielder but was eventually optioned to Triple-A after a slow start at the plate. With Jaff Decker scuffling at the plate of late, the A's decided to designate Decker for assignment and give Canha another opportunity to hold down the backup outfield role.

Blackmon is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Cubs, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Alexi Amarista will take over in center field as Gerardo Parra leads off against right-hander John Lackey in the nightcap. Blackmon tripled in Game 1, giving him 22 extra-base hits through 33 games this season, and he also stole a base for the first time since Opening Day.

Brantley (ankle) is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Blue Jays, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

This comes as no surprise, as Brantley was seen in a walking boot Monday. While manager Terry Francona initially slapped an optimistic "day or two" timeline on the injury, it's looking like a realistic return date for Brantley would be Friday's series opener against the Twins, after the Indians' off day Thursday.

Ozuna (hamstring) is in the lineup Tuesday, batting third and playing left field, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Ozuna appeared to pull his hamstring in the ninth inning of Monday night's loss to St. Louis, but it seems like a night of rest was enough to get the injury back to normal. He'll slot into the lineup in his normal spot between Christian Yelich and Giancarlo Stanton.

Soler is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Rays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After missing the first 28 games of the season with an oblique injury, Soler is hitless in three starts since being activated from the disabled list (0-for-11). He'll head to the bench to clear his mind as Jorge Bonifacio draws the start in right field.

Brantley (ankle) was wearing a protective boot on Monday and likely won't play in the current series against Toronto, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Manager Terry Francona provided an optimistic "day or two" timeline to open the week, but that's unlikely to hold true. A Friday activation for the weekend series against Minnesota is looking like the best possible outcome for Brantley. Yandy Diaz, who was called up Monday after hitting .395 with Triple-A Columbus, will pick up the available at-bats in the interim.