MLB Player News

Cespedes (quad) took batting practice Tuesday, Matt Ehalt of the Record reports.

The Mets' slugger is continuing to make progress with rehabbing his injured quad, so it appears that he'll be back in action soon after becoming eligible on August 18. Until Cespedes returns, Alejandro De Aza and Brandon Nimmo will likely continue to split time in his outfield spot.

Harper (neck) is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Indians, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The Nationals have said that Harper's neck isn't seriously injured and that it's simply feeling stiff, so they'll continue to be cautious with the reigning NL MVP. Chris Heisey will cover right field during Harper's absence.

Miller was error-free in his first game at first base Monday and also went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, two RBI and a run against the Blue Jays, Bill Chastain of the team's offical site reports.

The converted shortstop found success both in the field and in the batter's box, plating Logan Forsythe and Evan Longoria with a game-tying two-bagger in the fifth and blasting another double as well. Miller was also smooth at first, scooping up a hard shot from Josh Donaldson in the first and recording the out himself and successfully holding several runners at first in conjunction with starter Jake Odorizzi. The 26-year-old reported being relatively comfortable in those situations, and found that positioning himself correctly on balls hit away from him was a more challenging aspect of his new infield spot. "I think the thing for me that was a little uncomfortable was when the ball went into the outfield and things started going in motion," Miller said. "You react from where you're comfortable at, and I had to really think about where I needed to be. That was something a couple of times I just have to be in a better spot. Those were the ones that were a little tough." Miller is still expected to start some games at his natural position during the rest of the season, but shortstop will primarily be manned by the newly-acquired Matt Duffy once he returns from his DL stint due to an Achilles injury.

Brantley (shoulder) has again been stalled in his recovery attempts, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

Brantley had been making strides in what has been a long road to recovery following labrum surgery. Nonetheless, this new setback will certainly put his chances of returning this season in serious doubt. The 29-year-old has not played since May and remains without a definitive timetable.

Pederson is back in the Dodgers' lineup for Monday's matchup against the Phillies.

Pederson was on the bench for two consecutive games against southpaws but will have his left-handed bat back in the lineup Monday against Philadelphia's right-handed starter Zach Eflin. Pederson is hitting a meaty .255/.344/.510 with 15 of his 16 home runs in 85 games against right-handed pitching this season.

Carpenter (undisclosed) is back in the starting lineup Monday against the Reds.

The Cardinals did not offer up an explanation for Carpenter's absence Sunday, but that he's back in the mix for the series opener with the Reds after a one-day layoff suggests that the ailment wasn't a serious one. Carpenter will play second base and lead off for the Cards on Monday.

Soler went 2-for-4 with a solo homer Sunday at Oakland.

Soler's seventh bomb of 2016 gave the Cubs a 2-0 lead in the seventh inning of a road win. He's now left the yard in two of his three games since returning from the disabled list, and he's slashing .232/.323/.423 on the year. Since hitting .292 in his rookie year, he's seen his batting average drop significantly in each of the last two seasons, though the 24-year-old certainly has time to turn things around.

Buxton was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Buxton has struggled mightily in the second half, going just 6-for-46 at the plate. The move opens up a roster spot for Trevor Plouffe's (ribs) activation from the disabled list Monday. It's likely not the last we'll see of Buxton, who will head back to the minors and try to get things sorted out at the dish.

Pederson is out of the lineup Sunday night against the Red Sox, J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group reports.

The Dodgers will face a lefty in their second straight game Sunday evening, and Pederson will not end up starting either contest. Manager Dave Roberts has certainly limited his exposure to lefties this season, as Pederson has just four hits in 43 plate appearances, posting a .467 OPS. As a result, Pederson will once again give way to Enrique Hernandez in center field.

Choi is out of the lineup Sunday against the Mariners, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

Choi made a splash Thursday against the Athletics with a two-homer, four-RBI game, but he went quiet for the first two games of the series with the Mariners, going 0-for-6 with a walk. He still looks like the Angels' preferred option in left field, but he'll rest Sunday with lefty James Paxton starting for the opposition.