MLB Player News

Martinez went 2-for-4 with two doubles, two runs scored and two RBI in Sunday's win over the Red Sox.

He continues to bully around opposition pitching in August, slashing .441/.486/.809 with six home runs, 11 RBI and 14 runs scored while extending his hitting streak to 12 games. The Tigers are scrambling to stay afloat in a crowded AL wild card race, but Martinez is doing everything he can to get the team into the postseason.

Cespedes went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's win over the Giants.

Noah Syndergaard and Jeff Samardzija were engaged in a pitchers' duel Sunday, and Cespedes' homer in the seventh inning was the source of the only runs on the night. He is 5-for-13 with three homers, five RBI and three runs scored since returning from a quadriceps injury, and should be part of an improved Mets offense that just got a couple of other key veterans back as well.

Stanton (groin) believes he will return for the last week of the regular season, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Stanton's Grade 3 strain carries with it a six-week minimum for recovery, which would put the slugger in line to rejoin the club for the last week should he meet that timetable. While a return in the final week wouldn't make up for his missed time up to that point, it could push fantasy owners over the top come championship week.

Harper went 2-for-5 with a three-run homer Sunday against the Braves.

After hitting .286 in April, Harper has failed to reach the .260 mark since July 7, and he's slashing .246/.386/.459 on the year. Despite the unexpected production from the fifth-year player, he's at least posting the second-best on-base percentage of his career.

Miller went 1-for-4 with a three-RBI double in Saturday's 8-2 victory over the Rangers.

He continues to tear the cover off the ball and provide timely hitting, with Saturday's clutch double serving as the latest example. Miller emptied the bases with a seventh-inning two-bagger to right that brought home Steven Souza, Jr., Luke Maile and Evan Longoria, giving him eight RBI over his last three games alone. Miller has also hit safely in six of his last seven, while slashing .328/.416/.746 over 67 August at-bats.

Buxton (illness) is in the lineup for Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, LaVelle Neal of the Star Tribune reports.

The illness limited Buxton to just one pinch-running appearance over Rochester's last four games, but it appears he is feeling good enough to return to the starting lineup Sunday. Buxton figures to be back with the Twins at some point before the regular season ends, but it remains to be seen when.

Soler was scratched from Sunday's lineup with a sore leg, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

With Soler being taken out of the lineup, the Cubs will bring Kris Bryant back to third base and go with an outfield of Matt Szczur, Dexter Fowler, and Ben Zobrist. Soler's ailment is simply being described as leg soreness, so he should be considered day-to-day at this point in time.

Choi was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake City on Sunday.

With C.J. Cron, Jefry Marte and Albert Pujols all capable of manning first base, Choi's roster spot was deemed expendable despite 15 starts there this season. His offensive production has also taken a steep turn for the worse since launching two homers in an Aug. 4 contest, as Choi is just 3-for-25 since then.

Blackmon (toe) remains out of the lineup Sunday against the Cubs, Nick Kosmider of the Denver Post reports.

With Blackmon out, Colorado will start Gerardo Parra, David Dahl, and Carlos Gonzalez in the outfield as they take on Jason Hammel and the Cubs. Before hurting his toe, Blackmon had been going on a tear at the plate, hitting .473/.508/.1.091 with nine home runs over the last 14 days. The Rockies haven't indicated that Blackmon will need a stint on the DL, so he should be considered day-to-day heading into Monday's outing in Milwaukee.

Cespedes blasted a pair of home runs Saturday against the Giants.

Cespedes returned from his quad injury Friday and notched a hit that evening. He found his stroke Saturday, hitting the two home runs, including a 457-foot shot, and run-scoring double. Cespedes should be in the lineup in left field and bat cleanup daily.