Blue Jays' Whit Merrifield: Playing time trending down

Merrifield is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees.

Wednesday's absence marks his sixth in Toronto's past nine games, as Merrifield's .549 OPS since the start of August appears to have caught up to him. Daulton Varsho continues to work as the primary left fielder, while Cavan Biggio has a hot stick while seeing regular at-bats in a utility role.