MLB Player News

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Monday that Bellinger is continuing to receive treatment for his sore back, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Bellinger's back first tightened up on him in early April, forcing him to miss a couple games at the time. Boone said the outfielder is "doing well," but the manager wants to "pick some spots" to rest Bellinger, who is not in Monday's lineup versus the Royals. The hot-hitting Trent Grisham is handling center field Monday.

Varsho (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Dunedin soon, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Varsho recently began throwing in extended spring training games and had no issues with his surgically repaired right shoulder, so he's been cleared to play the field in formal rehab contests. The 28-year-old and his wife are expecting a child in the coming days, and Varsho's rehab assignment will commence after the baby's arrival. Varsho is still expected to be ready for his season debut before the end of April.

Rafaela is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rays.

Rafaela will sit for the fourth time in 18 games on the season, opening up a spot in the lineup for David Hamilton at second base while Kristian Campbell covers Rafaela's usual spot in center field. The 24-year-old is batting just .220 with a .291 on-base percentage so far, but he's salvaged some value by stealing three bases, driving in seven runs and scoring eight times.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that Scherzer will visit with a doctor again in the coming days due to nagging soreness in his injured right thumb after throwing recently, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Scherzer received a pair of cortisone injections in the thumb earlier this month but still can't seem to get over the hump with the injury. It's uncertain what the next course of action will be, but that should become clearer after Scherzer's visit with the doctor. There is no timetable for the 40-year-old's return.

Melendez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Yankees.

The Royals will move both of their struggling corner outfielders to the bench Monday, as Melendez (.285 OPS, 36.4 percent strikeout rate in 44 plate appearances) and Hunter Renfroe (.363 OPS, 27.9 percent strikeout rate in 43 plate appearances) give way to Drew Waters and Cavan Biggio in left and right field, respectively. Melendez's track record at the big-league level will likely buy him some time to work his way out of the extended slump, though his grasp on an everyday role has loosened since the beginning of the season. He's now started in just three of the Royals' last six games.

Renfroe is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Yankees.

Renfroe cracked the starting nine in eight of the Royals' first 10 contests, but his hold on a near-everyday role could be slipping. He hasn't started consecutive games since April 6 and 7 while he's gotten off to a miserable start to the season, as he's slashing just .128/.209/.154 with a 27.9 percent strikeout rate over 43 plate appearances. Cavan Biggio will replace Renfroe in right field Monday.

India (quadricep) will serve as the Royals' designated hitter and leadoff batter in Monday's game against the Yankees.

He'll re-enter starting nine after he sat out his first game of the season in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Guardians while tending to right quad tightness. The Royals will ease India back into the lineup in a non-defensive role, but he should be ready to resume playing in left field or at third base within the next few days.

Jeffers is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Mets.

Jeffers returned to action Sunday following a two-game absence with a swollen thumb, but he's now back on the bench for Monday's series opener. He has not had any known setback, so this appears to be a routine day off for Jeffers. Christian Vazquez will do the catching and bat ninth for the Twins.

Wagner is out of the lineup for Monday's game versus Atlanta.

It's the first time this season that Wagner is not in the lineup against a right-handed pitcher. Ernie Clement will handle third base and bat fifth versus Atlanta hurler Grant Holmes.

Kirk is not in the lineup for Monday's contest versus Atlanta.

Kirk had started each of the previous two games but will being Monday's series opener on the bench. Tyler Heineman will do the catching and bat ninth for Toronto.