MLB Player News

As expected, Indians outfielder Michael Brantley missed a fourth straight start Wednesday against the White Sox due to a back injury. Mike Aviles started in left field Wednesday after Jerry Sands started in Brantley's absence the previous two days.

The Indians are considered favorites (-135) for Wednesday's game.

In his final plate appearance of the game on Tuesday, Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton batted without his customized helmet face guard he'd been wearing since his season-ending beaning from last year, reports MLB.com. 

"It's confidence for him," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. "I think that's probably a big step. He swung the bat well. His at-bats were good."

Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton broke a three-game hitless streak Tuesday, going 3 for 3 with two doules and four RBI against the Braves.

Stanton entered Tuesday's game hitting .130 with one double and three RBI.

'"We got a win, so that's the biggest part," Stanton said after ending a 0-for-12 slump. "Contributing to that is good for us and we need a series tomorrow."

Twins switch hitters Kennys Vargas and Danny Santana are both working to calibrate their swings from both sides on a daily basis, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Wednesday. 

"I never feel 100 percent from both sides of the plate," said Vargas. "When my right side is good, my left is like 50 percent. It's never the same. I try to maintain both swings, but it's tough."

Vargas is hitting .400 (4 for 10) against left-handers and .091 (1 for 11) against right-handers this season. Santana is batting .250 (3 for 12) against right-handers and .167 (2 for 12) against southpaws.

"I never feel good from both sides," Santana said. "It's always better from one side than the other. Never the same."

Athletics manager Bob Melvin has liked the early returns from rookie outfielder Mark Canha. So much so, Canha is becoming a regular in the starting lineup, reports MLB.com.

"That wasn't the plan," said Melvin, smiling. "Now, he's made his opportunities as I've said, and with Coco out, he's gotten the opportunity, so you gotta give him credit. He's getting good at-bats off whoever they're running out there."

Canha is hitting .367 with a home run and seven RBI in his first 30 at-bats this season.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said he's pretty sure that third baseman Justin Turner's finger injury is 100 percent healed, according to the Orange County Register.

Turner, who is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup for Tuesday, left Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks with left finger stiffness. He also sat out Monday's contest.

Juan Uribe, who's been battling a hamstring issue, is starting at third base for the Dodgers on Tuesday.

Indians left fielder Michael Brantley is unlikely to play Wednesday afternoon against the White Sox, FOX Sports Ohio reports.

"I think he's really trending in a good way," manager Terry Francona said, per MLB.com. "If you see him playing tomorrow, he's perfect. Because, with the day off [Thursday], we want to make sure we get him going in the right direction and keep him going in the right direction."

Brantley, who is dealing with a back injury, is going through a full workout Tuesday. It's possible he'll be ready to return after Thursday's off day. The outfielder has played in just two games, going 1 for 8 at the plate.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley and third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall are out of the starting lineup Tuesday, but are available to come off the bench, the team announced.

Brantley, who is dealing with a back injury, has played just two games this season while battling the injury. Jerry Sands will fill in for Brantley in left field. Chisenhall has started all six games for Cleveland at third so far this season and will get the day off. He will be replaced by Mike Aviles, who will bat second.

The Indians are currently the favorites (-127) over the White Sox.

Cubs outfielder Jorge Soler went 3 for 5 from the plate during Monday night's 7-6 win over the Reds in 10 innings. 

Soler's stellar game began with a two-run home run in the first inning. He hit another two-run home run in the eighth inning. Soler now has six RBI for the season. 

In the 10th inning, Soler hit a single and was later advanced to third. Arismendy Alcantara hit the game-winning RBI single, scoring Soler. Soler scored three runs and hit four RBI during the game. 

Soler is now batting .304. 

Dodgers infielders Juan Uribe (hamstring) and Justin Turner (finger) are not in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Mariners.

With both players still dealing with injury, Alex Guerrero, who went 3 for 5 with one home run and four RBI Sunday, will get another start at third base and bat sixth against Mariners lefty James Paxton.

The Dodgers are also keeping shortstop Jimmy Rollins, catcher Yasmani Grandal and left fielder Carl Crawford out of the starting lineup Monday. Darwin Barney will play shortstop and bat leadoff, Scott Van Slyke will man left field and bat fifth and A.J. Ellis will be behind the plate and bat eighth.