MLB Player News

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley made his only hit in four at-bats Saturday against the Orioles count, as he hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning. The home run gave Cleveland a 6-0 lead, which would be the final score, and chased starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez from the game.

Brantley has homered three time in his last 19 games. However, he is batting .351 with a .595 slugging percentage, .992 OPS, one triple, seven doubles, 10 runs and 17 RBI in that span.

Pirates slugger Andrew McCutchen ran the bases and hit in the cage Saturday as part of his recovery from a rib injury.

McCutchen has not played since Aug. 3, but he was not placed on the disabled list until eight days later.

Red Sox outfielder Yoenis Cespedes continued his tear Friday, as he went deep for the third time in five games in a 5-3 loss to the Astros.

 Cespedes had just one hit in the game, as he went 1 for 4 with two strikeouts. He made that hit count, clubbing a two-run home run in the fourth inning to get the Red Sox on the board.

Cespedes has just four hits over his last five games, but three have gone for home runs, and he has driven in eight runs in that span. He is hitting .240/.255/.480 in 12 games with the Red Sox. 

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt will meet with a concussion specialist, according to CSN.

Belt will meet with the specialist in Pittsburgh. He's been out since August 6 after being hit in the face with a ball during warmups. Belt hit .237/.296/.446 in 186 at-bats. 

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton reached base four times Thursday against the Diamondbacks.

The single was Stanton's weapon of choice throughout the game. He reached three times via the single, and a fourth time on a walk. Despite being on base four times, Stanton did not score a run. He did post an RBI. Stanton is now hitting .292 following the performance. 

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper hit a two-run home run Thursday against the Mets.

Harper struck in the top of the fourth inning. With a man on, Harper belted an 88 mph fastball out to right center. The hit was Harper's third home run in his last seven games. He finished 1 for 4, with one run scored and two RBI. 

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez did much of the heavy lifting Thursday, as he drove in the team's first two runs in a 5-2 win over the Pirates.

Martinez got the Tigers on the board with his solo shot in the fifth inning, and then added on RBI on a bases-loaded walk in the following frame. He went 2 for 4 with two RBI, one run scored and one walk in the win.

Martinez has been cold throughout August, but now has six RBI in 13 games. He is still hitting just .191 in the month, bringing his season line down to .303/.348/.566. 

Red Sox outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is back in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Astros, after leaving the previous day's game with a jammed thumb. The injury was never considered serious, so it isn't a surprise to see him starting in left field and batting fourth in Thursday's game.   

Cubs outfield prospect Jorge Soler is being considered as a potential call-up and/or a participant in the Arizona Fall League, MLB.com reports.

"[Soler] has been playing great, and is locked in now, and great at-bats, great attitude, playing good defense," manager Jed Hoyer said Wednesday. "We have to decide if he's had enough at-bats or not."

Soler has hit .367/.464/.753 with 12 home runs in 150 at-bats across three levels.

Red Sox outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was removed from Wednesday's game at Cincinnati due to precautionary reasons after jamming his hand on his final at-bat, according to The Boston Herald. He was officially diagnosed with a right hand bruise.

The injury doesn't appear to be serious, but Cespedes is being listed as day to day.