MLB Player News

Varsho (wrist) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Phillies.

Varsho will miss out on a third straight start while he tends to left wrist inflammation, but at this stage, the Blue Jays aren't expecting him to require a stint on the injured list. The Blue Jays felt comfortable enough with making Varsho available off the bench for Sunday's 6-4 win over the Orioles, with the 29-year-old checking into that contest in the ninth inning as a defensive replacement in center field. Manager John Schneider told Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca that Varsho took another positive step forward in his recovery earlier Monday, hitting off a pitching machine prior to the game "with some pretty good intensity."

Mesa is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Red Sox, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

With southpaw Connelly Early on the bump for the Red Sox, the left-handed-hitting Mesa will retreat to the bench. While the Rays faced right-handed starters in each of the last seven games, Mesa was included in the lineup for six of those contests and went 3-for-22 (.136 average) with a 3:8 BB:K, two runs and one RBI during that time.

Simpson (thumb) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Red Sox, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

The Rays will hold Simpson out of the starting nine for a third straight game while he manages a sore left thumb, but as was the case in the prior two contests, he's expected to remain available off the bench. Tampa Bay called up Austin Slater from Triple-A Durham on Monday and will have him cover Simpson's usual spot in left field in the series opener versus Boston.

The Rays selected Slater's contract from Triple-A Durham on Monday.

The Rays are scheduled to face all lefty starting pitchers during their three-game set versus the Red Sox, so the right-handed-hitting Slater should be busy. He's sporting an underwhelming .209/.286/.233 batting line through 49 plate appearances in the majors this season.

Fermin went 1-for-4 with a run scored in Sunday's 5-3 victory over the Reds.

After going 3-for-4 with a stolen base and two runs while starting at third base in Saturday's 6-5 win, Fermin remained on the left side of the diamond for the series finale, this time filling in at shortstop for a resting Masyn Winn. Fermin is now slashing an acceptable .250/.312/.381 over 93 plate appearances on the season, but it's difficult to envision him moving out of a utility role unless St. Louis is hit hard by injuries in the infield or outfield.

The Cubs will activate Shaw (back) from the 10-day injured list prior to Tuesday's contest in Colorado, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Shaw was sent to the IL a little over two weeks ago with mid-back tightness, but he's ready to rejoin the big club after going 4-for-14 with a 2:2 BB:K over four rehab games with Triple-A Iowa. With Dansby Swanson's ongoing struggles, Shaw could see more playing time than he had been getting before his injury. However, Shaw hasn't exactly pushed for a bigger role himself this season, slashing .242/.291/.400 across 42 games.

The Red Sox are expected to recall Eaton from Triple-A Worcester on Monday, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.

Eaton is with the team in Tampa Bay ahead of the Red Sox's three-game set versus the Rays. The 29-year-old utility man appeared in 41 games with Boston last season and showed well at the plate, slashing .296/.348/.383 with one home run, four RBI, 16 runs scored, nine stolen bases and a 6:19 BB:K across 90 plate appearances. Though he was previously up with the Red Sox for a brief time in late April, he didn't see any action before being optioned back to Worcester, where he's produced a .798 OPS over 205 plate appearances on the season. Eaton will provide the Red Sox with some added versatility off the bench and could end up seeing regular starts versus left-handed pitching.

The Rays plan to call up Slater from Triple-A Durham, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Signed to a minor-league contract in late May, Slater has a 1.160 OPS in six games with Durham. The Rays are slated to face three left-handers in their early-week series versus the Red Sox, so the right-handed-hitting Slater should get some reps in the outfield. Slater has slashed just .209/.286/.233 through 49 plate appearances in the majors this season.

Taylor (hip) began running this past week but has yet to resume full baseball activities, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The reserve outfielder suffered a hip injury while running out a groundball May 25. Taylor had a meager .530 OPS in 104 plate appearances when he landed on the IL, and with rookies A.J. Ewing and Carson Benge solidifying their spots in the lineup, the 32-year-old likely won't have much of a role once he gets healthy.

Ruiz went 0-for-1 with a walk, a run scored and two stolen bases in Sunday's win over the Rays.

The 27-year-old outfielder began the game on the bench but pinch hit for Owen Caissie in the seventh inning and remained in the contest in right field. Ruiz isn't seeing consistent playing time and sports a .196/.300/.471 slash line through just 60 plate appearances since he joined the Marlins' roster in late April, but he has slugged three homers and stolen 11 bags in 12 attempts while adding six RBI and 14 runs.