MLB Player News

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is still not a candidate to be dealt, according to MLB.com.

A source said they "don't see any scenario" where Stanton is dealt during the offseason. The team has been adament about retaining Stanton, but every couple of months the story seems to be re-visited. Stanton is due arbitration, and will likely sign a one-year deal in order to keep his long-term options open.

Stanton is hitting .249/.367/.484 in 413 at-bats.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley led off with Michael Bourn injured Wednesday against the White Sox. Brantley had a big game for Cleveland. 

Brantley went 3 for 5 with a double and an RBI. He scored a run and is batting .286 for the year for Cleveland. 

The 26-year-old has recorded three consecutive three-hit games for the Tribe. He's gone 9 for 13 over that span with five RBI. That said, Brantley has hit in nine straight contests and has two homers and eight RBI over that stretch. 

Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon homered Tuesday during an 8-3 win over the Red Sox. Blackmon hit his sixth home run of the season to lead off the game for the Rockies against John Lackey in the first inning.

The leadoff hitter went 2 for 4 with a walk and stole his seventh base in the game. He scored twice and is batting .314 on the year.

The 27-year-old has hit in nine straight games and has six consecutive multi-hit performances. Over his nine-game hitting streak, Blackmon has gone 22 for 44 (.500) with six doubles, two homers and six RBI. He's raised his average from .270 over that stretch.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley filled up the stat sheet Tuesday, going 3 for 4 with a home run, two runs, two RBI and a stolen base in his team's 5-4 win over the White Sox.

Brantley has driven in two runs in each of his last three games and homered in two of his last three games. He currently is in the midst of an eight-game hitting streak. Brantley owns a .283/.332/.398 line with 10 home runs, 70 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 533 at-bats.

Marlins manager Mike Redmond told the Miami Herald Tuesday that outfielder Marcell Ozuna, who is out for the season with a ligament tear and a fracture in his left thumb, resumed baseball activities this week. He is expected to head into the offseason healthy.

"I didn't mention [Ozuna] yesterday, but he's been swinging the bat the last couple of days," Redmond said. "He looks great, has himself in good shape. It looks like his hand is feeling good. He swung the bat good. It's just a timing thing. I think for him too going into the off-season knowing he's feeling good is definitely a good sign. Now he can prepare himself for spring training and get himself ready to compete and win a job."

Ozuna batted .265/.303/.389 with three home runs and 32 RBI in 275 at-bats in 2013.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper blames himself for the team's inability to make the playoffs, according to NatsInsider.com.

Harper said missing a month of the season with a knee injury hurt the club. "I wasn’t there for a month," Harper said. "I’m not going to sit here and tell you that I’m a game-changer or anything like that, but we’re a great team and me being in this lineup is huge. I’ve got to try to be in this lineup every night." 

During the month Harper was out, the team went 15-16. He's hit .279/.374/.496 in 409 at-bats. 

Tigers manager Jim Leyland told MLive.com that he will not rest Miguel Cabrera over the final week of the regular season, unless his third baseman's health dictates otherwise. Leyland said, "I'm not taking him out, unless he feels like he's so sore that he needs a day. Other than that, I won't take him out."

A sore groin had caused Cabrera to miss Sunday's game against the White Sox, and Leyland had previously expressed some concern about having his star hitter playing hurt.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes throwing session to test out his shoulder went well, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. 

It looks like Cespedes will be able to play in the outfield during the team's upcoming games with the Mariners. He had been used primarily as a designated hitter over the past few games.

Cespedes is hitting .242/.297/.448 in 520 at-bats.

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller was back in action Monday against Kansas City for the first time since Sept. 14. Miller returned from a strained hamstring to lead off for Seattle.

Miller went 0 for 4 with two walks and a run scored. He also struck out twice and is batting .259 on the season. The 23-year-old has six homers and 31 RBI over 286 at-bats.

Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera returned to action following missing a game due to groin soreness on Monday against the Twins in Minnesota. 

Cabrera took back the RBI lead with his 137th in the game on a single in the seventh inning. He finished 2 for 4 and is batting .350 on the year. 

Cabrera has gone 7 for 16 over a four-game hitting streak and he's recorded an RBI in three straight games.