MLB Player News

Merrifield is absent from the Blue Jays' lineup Tuesday against the Tigers.

He had started each of the last six contests but will sit this one out. Cavan Biggio will play second base while Daulton Varsho and George Springer handle the corner outfield spots.

Gorman is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Rockies.

Juan Yepez will take a turn at designated hitter and bat eighth with the Rockies starting left-hander Kyle Freeland. Taylor Motter is covering second base and hitting ninth.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Stott will return to the leadoff spot Wednesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Stott drew a look at leadoff in Monday's series opener versus the Marlins and right-hander Sandy Alcantara before dropping down to the eighth spot in the order for Tuesday night's game against left-hander Jesus Luzardo. Thomson has suggested that Stott might get more chances at leadoff against righties moving forward, with Trea Turner likely sliding into the No. 2 hole on those occasions.

Rosario is not in the Guardians' lineup for Tuesday's contest versus the Yankees.

It's the first day off of the season for Rosario, as Gabriel Arias will get a start at shortstop. Rosario is batting just .204/.259/.224 so far, although he does already have three stolen bases.

Villar went 0-for-2 with a walk and a stolen base in Monday's 9-1 loss to the Dodgers. He was also hit by a pitch.

Villar had three multi-hit efforts through his first six games, but he's since slumped, going 1-for-8 with two walks over his last four contests. His steal Monday was the first of his young major-league career. Villar wasn't a major threat to run in the minors, logging just 10 steals across parts of four campaigns. He's seeing regular playing time between third base and second base, and he's maintained a passable .233/.378/.467 slash line with two home runs, five RBI and six runs scored through 37 plate appearances this season.

Alu, who opened the season on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Rochester with a knee sprain, began a rehab assignment with High-A Wilmington on Friday.

The injury is apparently a minor one, and Alu looks like he'll be back with Rochester before long. Given that he occupies a spot on the 40-man roster and has little left to prove in the minors (.925 OPS in 59 career games at Triple-A), Alu should make his big-league debut sometime this summer.

Sosa was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte by the White Sox on Tuesday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Sosa has crushed the ball for Charlotte in the early going this season, sporting a .448/.556/.828 batting line with a couple home runs. The 23-year-old is a candidate to see starts at second base with the big club while Elvis Andrus plays shortstop with Tim Anderson (knee) out.

Rojas started at designated hitter and went 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI in Monday's 3-0 win over Milwaukee.

The hot-hitting Rojas, who typically sits out against lefties, got the start in place of Kyle Lewis (illness) against Brewers southpaw Wade Miley. The move paid dividends immediately, as Rojas singled home Ketel Marte, who had doubled to lead off the bottom of the first inning. Rojas has a five-game hit streak, going 11-for-20 with three doubles, five RBI and five runs scored during that stretch. The Brewers will throw righty Corbin Burnes on Tuesday, so expect Rojas in the lineup, either at DH or third base.

Gimenez went 0-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Monday's 3-2 win over the Yankees.

It was small ball leading to the Guardians' first run. Gimenez reached on an error, stole second, got to third on a groundout and scored on a sacrifice fly. The second baseman is up to three steals while hitting .318 with a 4:11 BB:K through 11 contests. Monday was the second time he failed to record a hit so far.

Trejo went 3-for-4 with a run and two RBI in a 7-4 win against St. Louis on Monday.

Trejo started his fourth game of the campaign and more than doubled his season hit tally with the three-single performance. The 26-year-old knocked in a run with a single in the fourth inning and repeated the feat in the sixth. Trejo hadn't knocked in or scored any runs coming into Monday, so he's not much of a fantasy asset at the moment.