New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius has a bruised right shoulder, ending his time at the World Baseball Classic and leaving his status for opening day in doubt.

Yankees Manager Joe Girardi didn’t put on a timetable on a return, only saying, “He’s going to be sidelined for a bit.” The Yankees start the regular season April 2 at Tampa Bay.

Toronto's Josh Donaldson takes a pitch Monday against Minnesota at Dunedin, Fla., as the Blue Jays slugger appeared in his first spring training game. He was 0 for 2 with a walk. Associated Press/Chris O'Meara

It is not certain how or when Gregorius got hurt while helping the Netherlands reach the semifinals of the WBC. He hit .348, driving in eight runs and scoring five in the tournament.

Gregorius had an MRI in Los Angeles on Sunday. He was returning to the Yankees’ spring training complex in Tampa, Florida, and will be re-evaluated by team doctors.

Gregorius is among a handful of major league players to leave their WBC team because of injuries.

Miami third baseman Martin Prado strained his hamstring while playing for Venezuela and returned to the Marlins over the weekend. All-Star catcher Salvador Perez of the Royals injured his knee in a home plate collision and also left the Venezuelan team.

RED SOX: Kyle Kendrick continued his bid for a spot in the depleted Boston rotation by working five innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs while striking out four in a 7-4 spring training win over the Orioles.

Baltimore has expressed an interest in stretching Vidal Nuno out as a starting pitcher, but the veteran – just back from playing for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic – did not make it out of the second inning, allowing three earned runs in 12/3 innings.

BLUE JAYS: Star slugger Josh Donaldson made his spring training debut, going 0 for 2 with a walk in his first game since injuring his right calf more than a month ago. The 2015 Al MVP was the designated hitter, and is scheduled to play at his normal third base spot Wednesday.

Blue Jays starter Francisco Liriano struck out 10 in 42/3 innings.

Byung Ho Park and Miguel Sano homered for Minnesota.

• The Twins’ Max Kepler singled in three at-bats, two days after a scary-looking hand injury. The right fielder was cut on his right little finger Saturday when Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval inadvertently stepped on him while Kepler was diving back to the bag.

ROYALS: Nathan Karns has won the crowded competition for the lone vacancy in the Kansas City’ rotation, getting the nod Monday from Manager Ned Yost. He beat out holdover Chris Young and left-hander Travis Wood for the fifth spot. Karns was acquired Jan. 6 from Seattle for outfielder Jarrod Dyson.

METS: Tim Tebow’s next team on his baseball journey is the Columbia Fireflies. The former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback will start the regular season with the New York Mets’ Class A club in South Carolina.

Tebow, 29, is hitting .235 with four hits in 17 at-bats for the Mets this spring. The outfielder will wear his football number, No. 15, with the Fireflies.

Related Stories