By Canadian Press

Josh Donaldson out of lineup for Blue Jays series opener against Rays

Sep 12, 2016 | 3:30 PM

TORONTO — Reigning American League MVP Josh Donaldson was not in the starting lineup for the Toronto Blue Jays’ game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night.

Donaldson sat with what Toronto manager John Gibbons described as general body soreness.

“He’s beat up, his body’s banged up. I figured I’d give him a day,” Gibbons said before the series opener. “Let him regroup, rest up.”

Gibbons added that he expects Donaldson to be ready to play Tuesday.

Darwin Barney started at third base in place of Donaldson while outfielder Michael Saunders hit in the No. 2 spot in the lineup against Tampa Bay’s Jake Odorizzi.

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Donaldson, who’s hitless in a career-worst seven games, going 0 for 23 with seven strikeouts in that span, is batting .284 with 34 homers and 92 RBIs through 138 games.

The Blue Jays opened play Monday tied for second place in the American League East with Baltimore, two games back of the Boston Red Sox.

Toronto is 2-7 in September. 

The Canadian Press