MLB Player News

Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera, who continues to play through a nagging abdominal injury, picked up his 100th RBI on the season during a win at Cleveland Tuesday. 

Cabrera went 2 for 4 in the game with an RBI double in the fifth inning. He also scored a run and is batting .361 on the year. Cabrera now has at least 100 RBI in 10 consecutive seasons. 

Phillies first baseman Darin Ruf has been as good as advertised so far this season, hitting .299 with three home runs and a .907 OPS through 23 games. And with Ryan Howard's return still far off -- if he comes back at all -- Ruf looks to have the starting first base job locked up for essentially the rest of the season. 

Ruf hit .317 with 38 home runs in Double-A last year. He had three straight seasons of 30 or more doubles heading into 2013, and had an .882 OPS over five minor league seasons. He strikes out a decent amount, but nothing egregious for a power hitter. And he's sporting a cool .413 OBP so far this season. 

While it's understandable to expect a rookie hitter to see a drop-off after a big start like this, Ruf could still finish 2013 with a .280 average and double-digit home runs. He's worth an add in most 12-team Roto formats as a corner infielder. 

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt managed three singles, two runs and one walk Monday against the Brewers. It was the second time in four games Belt managed three hits.

Despite his recent three-hit games, Belt is batting .241 (7 for 29) with one triple, one home run, three RBI, five runs and six RBI in his last 11 games (eight starts).

Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera returned to action Monday in a 4-2 comeback win at Cleveland. After missing four starts with an abdominal injury, Cabrera went 1 for 4 with a walk in the game. 

The 30-year-old continues to bat .359 on the season to lead the majors and has 32 homers and 99 RBI to go with the high average. 

Astros outfielder J.D. Martinez, who sprained his wrist July 26 and is on the disabled list, does not currently have a timetable to return to the lineup, MLB.com reports.

Manager Bo Porter said Martinez will do rehab work in Houston, but it is uncertain whether or not he'll need a minor league rehab assignment.

"I haven't had time to sit down with [trainer] Nate [Lucero} and map out his progress, but I know J.D.'s working hard and he'll be around the park while we're here," Porter said.

Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera returned to the starting lineup Monday against the Indians after missing four starts with an abdominal injury. Cabrera did pinch-hit Sunday against the White Sox and is batting .317 with seven home runs and 17 RBI in his last 20 games.

Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera is taking early batting practice Monday, according to the Detroit Free Press. 

Cabrera nearly missed four staight games due to an abdominal injury, but was able to hit Sunday. He went 1 for 1 in his only at-bat. Cabrera could return to the starting lineup Monday if all goes well during batting practice.

He's hitting .360/.455/.668 in 383 at-bats. 

Mariners rookie shortstop Brad Miller has hit safely in six of his last 10 games. He's batting .256 (11 for 43) with one triple, two doubles, two RBI, four walks and seven runs in his last 10 games.

Miller tied a career-high with three hits Saturday at Baltiimore. He's tallied three hits three times and has managed 11 multi-hit games since his debut June 28. 

After netting two singles Sunday against the Braves, Phillies outfielder Darin Ruf has reached base 32 straight games dating back to last year, which is the longest active streak in the majors, according to the Philadelphia Daily News. It's also the longest streak by a Phillies' hitter since Chase Utley reached base safely in 33 straight games from Sept. 7, 2008 to April 22, 2009.

"I love his swing," manager Charlie Manuel said of Ruf. "I like the way the ball jumps off his bat. His home run the other night was on the inside of the plate and he hit it nice and easy. Nice and easy. The power is there."

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton was hitless in four at-bats Sunday against the Indians, striking out twice. He's fallen into a 1-for-20 slump in his last six games.

"It seems like he’s got hot but just hasn’t been able to sustain it," manager Mike Redmond said, per The Miami Herald. "The times he’s gotten into some funks, they’ve been some sustained funks for more than three or four games. Obviously, we need him, when he hits, he changes our lineup."

Stanton, who hit .462 with three home runs, six doubles and six RBI in an eight-game stretch prior to his recent six-game slide, doesn't seem to concerned about his recent struggles.

"That’s how it’s been all year," Stanton said. "You have your ups and downs. You just got to overcome somehow, eventually."