MLB Player News

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley was initially announced as a starter Tuesday against the Angels, but was scratched from the lineup hours before first pitch due to head and neck soreness.

Brantley took a shot to the head Monday while sliding into second base, and is still dealing with the lingering effects.  He is at a local hospital undergoing testing, and is officially day to day at this point. 

Nationals manager Matt Williams said outfielder Bryce Harper (thumb) took batting practice Tuesday for the first time since undergoing surgery in late April, per The Washington Post. Williams reiterated July 1 as the best-case scenario for Harper's return.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley left Monday's game after taking a blow to the head while sliding into second base, but he was back in the lineup Tuesday against the Angels.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton hit a two-run homer in the first inning Monday, giving him 19 to lead the National League. Stanton went 2 for 5 with a walk and two runs scored.

Stanton, who has one more homer than Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki, also leads the NL with 56 RBI, five more than Arizona's Paul Goldschmidt.

Athletics left fielder Yoenis Cespedes cracked a three-run homer and had four RBI in Monday's 14-8 loss to the Rangers. Cespedes went 1 for 3 with a walk and a sacrifice fly, upping his average to .259/.309/.502.

Cespedes has 13 homers and 48 RBI in 259 at-bats.

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller went 1 for 3 with a walk and a solo home run in his team's 5-1 win over the Padres Monday.

Miller had hit just one home run since April 11 before knocking his second homer of June Monday. While he's been better at the plate this month, Miller still owns a .179/.250/.296 line with five home runs, 17 RBI and three stolen bases in 196 at-bats.

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez went 1 for 3 with a ninth-inning grand slam Monday, but it wasn't enough to avoid an 11-8 loss to the Royals.

Martinez took over for Torii Hunter, who left the game in the fourth inning with a hamstring cramp, and he pushed his team to within three runs with his home run in the ninth, but they would get no closer. Martinez has hit .270/.309/.494 with four home runs and 20 RBI in 89 at-bats.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley was removed from Monday's game against the Angels after taking a blow to the head on a slide into second base, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Brantley was removed for precautionary reasons, and the nature of the injury makes it likely he'll undergo concussion testing before being cleared to return to the field. After going 1 for 2 with an RBI Monday, Brantley has hit .323/.391/.519 with 11 home runs, 46 RBI and nine stolen bases in 266 at-bats.

Dodgers infielder Justin Turner was held out of the starting lineup Monday night against the Rockies because of a calf injury. Turner has been sidelined since Thursday because of the injury. He is hitting .295 with three homers and 17 RBI in 139 at-bats this season. His status remains uncertain for Tuesday's game against Colorado.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley got two more hits Sunday, including his 11th homer. He's 14 of 26 (.538) with two homers and three doubles over his past seven games. Brantley will try to stay hot Monday in the opener of a four-game series against the Angels.