TORONTO -- Reigning AL MVP Josh Donaldson is not in the lineup for Toronto's game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night.
Manager John Gibbons said Donaldson is getting the day off because he is "banged up" and needs a day to regroup. Donaldson is hitless in a career-worst seven games, going 0 for 23 with seven strikeouts in that span. He's batting .284 with 34 homers and 92 RBI.
A three-time All-Star third baseman, Donaldson has played 138 of Toronto's 142 games. Gibbons said Donaldson would likely return Tuesday. Darwin Barney will bat ninth and play third Monday against Rays right-hander Jake Odorizzi.
The Blue Jays, the 2015 AL East champions, have lost seven of nine in September. They're two games behind the Red Sox after losing two of three to Boston over the weekend, and tied with Baltimore in the wild-card race.