MLB Player News

Roc Nation Sports is looking to represent two Cuban major leaguers, Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig and Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, Yahoo! Sports reports. Puig already has met with the agency and reportedly left intrigued.

Roc Nation Sports, led by agent and rapper Jay-Z, signed Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano as its first client earlier this year. The agency has partnered wth Creative Artists Agency.

Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera appeared to be in some pain with his ailing back Tuesday after leaping for a high throw in the eighth inning in a loss to the White Sox. Of course, he stayed in the game and hit a home run in the bottom of the inning, MLive.com reports. 

Manager Jim Leyland is glad that Cabrera has turned down the Home Run Derby invitation because he'll have three days off during the All-Star break to rest the back. 

"I think it will get better even though he's playing," Leyland said. "I think the All-Star break will do him some good. I don't think he'll be going through this all year long, if that's what you mean. I don't think that. I think it's one of those things that it's fine unless a certain thing happens, where he has to make a quick move or something. That seems to be when it might flare up momentarily and then it kind of goes away."

Giancarlo Stanton hit a two-run double Wednesday against the Braves to end a 10-game RBI drought. Stanton had been in a 3-for-26 slump before he put the Marlins ahead in their four-run first inning against Paul Maholm.

Stanton finished 1 for 2 with one run and three walks. Stanton is off to a slow start in July, batting .182 (6 for 33) with no home runs, two doubles and two RBI in 10 games. He has walked 13 times in July, however.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is currently hitting .224 with 15 home runs and just three steals. His .713 OPS is about 150 points lower than last season, and his .286 OBP is lower than those of Lyle Overbay, Miguel Montero and Placido Polanco. 

Cespedes is still on pace for a 30-homer season, and his batting average struggles in the first half may have something to do with a string of minor injuies that he suffered and played through. His BABIP is only .250 (it should be about .300), and he's actually hitting more fly balls than last year, while his HR/FB rate remains pretty much the same. 

Cespedes should see improvement in batting average and steals in the second half, while keeping his power numbers up around the 30 home run pace. With an ugly overall line and whispers of a sophomore slump, Cespedes makes for a stellar buy-low candidate heading into the All-Star break. 

Mets infielder Justin Turner (intercostal strain) has started to hit off a tee and soft toss, according to ESPN. Turner has been on the 15-day disabled list since mid-June.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is back in the fourth spot Wednesday against the Pirates.

Cespedes was demoted to the fifth spot in the lineup Tuesday, prompting speculation that he could be used lower in the order more often. The team doesn't have a need for a DH Wednesday, so that could be the reason for Cespedes' move.

Cespedes is hitting .224/.286/.427 in 295 at-bats. 

Cardinals All-Star second baseman Matt Carpenter had a big performance during Tuesday's 9-5 win vs. Houston. Carpenter rapped three hits, including two doubles, totaled three RBI and scored three times.

It was Carpenter's second three-hit game in July. He's hit safely in 15 of his last 17 games. Carpenter is batting .361 (26 for 72) with two triples, three home runs, eight doubles, 15 RBI and 17 runs in his last 17 games.

It might not show up in the stat column, but former Marlins reliever Jon Rauch made at least one significant contribution before he was jettisoned off the roster. Rauch helped rookie outfielder Marcell Ozuna with his throwing accuracy by changing the way Ozuna grips the baseball, according to The Miami Herald.

"The ball was diving before," Ozuna said. "Jon Rauch told me to grab the ball with the seams behind. I saw the difference right away. The ball went straight, straight, straight -- no movement."

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller knocked in a career-high four runs in Tuesday's loss to Boston.

Miller finished 3 for 5 with a pair of doubles as well. The rookie was playing in just his 11th career game (10th start) and had just two RBI entering the contest. Miller is hitting a robust .275/.356/.475 with four doubles and two triples in his first 40 at-bats.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was chosen Tuesday by Robinson Cano as the fourth member of the American League team for the Home Run Derby.

Cespedes joins Cano, Prince Fielder and Chris Davis on the American League team for Monday's event. The 27-year-old has 15 home runs and 42 RBI in 74 games this season. He has 38 home runs in 203 games since making his big-league debut March 28, 2012.