MLB Player News

Vaughn will sit Monday against Cleveland.

While the White Sox made the commendable decision to include Vaughn on their Opening Day roster instead of manipulating his service time, there's still been no indication that they intend to use him all that often. He's yet to start a single game as a designated hitter due to Yermin Mercedes' early-season tear. He's started five times in 10 games in left field, though he's made just a single start against a righty. He remains stuck on the short side of a platoon Monday, with Nick Williams getting the nod in his absence.

Bell is starting Monday's game against the Cardinals.

Bell will join the Nationals' lineup for the first time after he was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Monday. He'll bat fourth and start at first base for the series opener against the Cardinals. Bell should fill the strong side of a platoon at first base going forward while Ryan Zimmerman mainly starts against left-handed pitchers.

Voit is "doing really well" in his recovery from knee surgery and could begin baseball activities next week, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

The slugger is slated for a routine post-op visit with a doctor Monday, which could give more clarity about when he can resume working out. Manager Aaron Boone stated Sunday that Voit won't begin baseball activities for "at least another week" while indicating that the first baseman's recovery is going "as expected." Voit appears to still be on track for a mid-May return to action.

White (quadriceps) is back in the lineup for Monday's game against the Orioles.

White sat for three straight games with a quadriceps issue, though he was able to serve as a defensive replacement in Sunday's contest. He'll look to wake his bat up Monday, as he's begun the year with just three hits in his first 23 at-bats.

The Nationals reinstated Bell from the COVID-19 injured list Monday.

One of 11 Nationals placed on the COVID-19 IL ahead of Opening Day, Bell will be ready to debut for Washington after completing a mandatory quarantine and passing all phases of MLB's health and safety protocol. Washington has yet to release a lineup for Monday's series opener in St. Louis, but Bell will presumably start at first base in place of Ryan Zimmerman, who had been serving as the team's primary option at the position for the first week of the season. Bell should fill the strong side of a platoon at first base, while the right-handed Zimmerman draws most of the starts versus lefty pitching.

France went 2-for-3 with two runs and was also hit by a pitch twice in a win over the Twins on Sunday.

The 26-year-old now sports a stellar .439 on-base percentage following Sunday's busy day, extending a favorable pattern he's consistently exhibited since arriving via trade from the Padres at the deadline last season. France has offered some solid power production early as well, lacing a pair of doubles and a home run across his first 41 plate appearances.

White (quadriceps) was able to serve as a defensive replacement at first base in Sunday's win over the Twins. He did not log a plate appearance.

The young first baseman had missed the last three games due to his quadriceps injury, so Sunday's appearance is a sign he may be ready to return to the starting lineup as early as Monday for the start of a four-game set against the Orioles. White's 2021 has started much like his difficult 2020 rookie campaign, as the 24-year-old is slashing .130/.167/.217 across his first 24 plate appearances.

Diaz is not in the lineup Monday against the Rangers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays' heavy rotation policy won't be changing any time soon, though Diaz has managed to find himself in the lineup far more often than not. He'll sit Monday for just the second time in the season's first 10 games. Yoshi Tsutsugo will start at first base in his absence.

Bell could be cleared through the league's COVID-19 protocols as soon as Monday but will likely need another day or two afterward to get ready to rejoin the lineup, Maria Torres of The Athletic reports.

Manager Dave Martinez said Sunday that Bell, Kyle Schwarber and Josh Harrison could all be back in action early this week provided they received clearance by Monday. The Nats could certainly use three members of their expected starting lineup back after losing five straight games and getting shut out three times in the last four, but there's no guarantee the trio is able to shake off the rust quickly. Bell should slot in as Washington's primary cleanup hitter and first baseman once he makes his season debut.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said he will be careful not to overload the 35-year-old Cabrera, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Cabrera has given Arizona early production with a .944 OPS, two home runs and six RBI, but Lovullo wants to be mindful of not overextending the infielder and wearing him down. He sat out Sunday's contest after playing two consecutive games, as Josh VanMeter entered the starting lineup in his place. Cabrera started four games during the first full week of baseball and never more than two straight.