MLB Player News

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is not in the team's starting lineup Wednesday against the Pirates.

Harper will be replaced by Scott Hairston, who will leadoff and play left. Harper has started every day since the All-Star break, and is likely just receiving a day of rest. He's hitting .264/.368/.505 in 220 at-bats. 

My colleague Scott White wrote in late June to take a wait-and-see approach with Mariners shortstop Brad Miller. Well, we have waited and we have seen what he can do, so now is the time to act on the rookie shortstop (owned 40 percent of leagues).

Miller is in the midst of a nice run for Seattle. He is batting .275 (14 for 51) with two home runs, three doubles and 13 RBI in his last 12 games.

Scott was right to point out that some of Miller's numbers in the minors were inflated by playing in hitter-friendly environments (California League, Pacific Coast League), but take a look at what Miller did for Double-A Jackson (Southern League). He hit .307 with a .473 slugging percentage and .866 OPS in 82 games, so he has a track record of producing in more moderate settings.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is in Wednesday's lineup as promised by manager Bob Melvin, the club announced. 

Cespedes will bat fifth and play left field. He grounded out as a pinch hitter in Tuesday's game but hasn't started since July 14, the last game prior to the All-Star break, due to a wrist injury.

Astros outfielder J.D. Martinez suffered a lower back contusion during Tuesday's win over Oakland, MLB.com reports. 

Martinez, who is day to day, went 1 for 4 before leaving the game. He's batting .251 on the season. 

Tigers manager Jim Leyland doesn't believe Miguel Cabrera will need to go on the disabled list. Outside of that, he's not being much help, MLive.com reports.

"I doubt very much that he'll play tomorrow," Leyland said. "I don't know that for a fact. I can assure you he's not going to play both these games the next two days. He will not play both games. Will he play one? I can't answer that right now."

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was healthier than was originally thought Tuesday at Houston. Cespedes took batting practice before the game but was thought unavailable until Wednesday. 

Cespedes, however, graounded out in the seventh inning as a pinch-hitter for Seth Smith. He remained in the game as the designated hitter and doubled. He went 1 for 2 and is batting .227 as he finally appeared in a game during the second half of the season. 

Manager Bob Melvin said after the game that Cespedes will start Wednesday against the Astros, MLB.com reports.

Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera, who didn't start Tuesday at Chicago due to his sore left hip flexor muscle, is day to day at the moment, the Detroit Free Press reports. That said, his status is a bit up in the air. 

"He’s not playing, I’ll leave it at that," Leyland said when asked about Cabrera before the game. 

When pressed, Leyland continued to reiterate that the only thing he knows is that Cabrera will miss Tuesday's game. 

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes had an impressive batting practice session Tuesday before Oakland's game at Houston, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Cespedes is not starting Tuesday, but could return to the lineup Wednesday. 

Cespedes has missed the last five games with left wrist soreness, but was pelting balls all over the field in batting practice. 

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna, who was recently optioned to Double-A Jacksonville, will have his left thumb examined for a possible injury that could land him on the disabled list, the Miami Herald reports. Ozuna hit .162 (11 for 68) through 17 July games before getting sent down. 

Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera is not in the team's starting lineup Tuesday against the White Sox.

Cabrera left Monday's game with a quad issue and is considered to be day-to-day. Don Kelly will fill in at third. Cabrera is hitting .358/.454/.666 in 374 at-bats.