Vaughn (back) is starting at first base and batting second Monday versus the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Vaughn will be back in the lineup after dealing with back tightness for over a week. The 24-year-old will now all set for Thursday's Opening Day contest versus the Astros, barring any sort of setback.

Vaughn (back) appeared in another minor-league game Saturday and hopes to return to the big-league lineup Monday against the Cubs, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vaughn has been dealing with lower-back soreness for over a week, but he's trending in the right direction. He served as the designated hitter in Friday's minor-league contest and will play the field Saturday. If he does indeed play Monday and gets through the game without issues, he should be good to go for Opening Day.

Vaughn (back) will play in a minor-league game Friday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vaughn will be able to take as many at-bats as he needs in a controlled setting. Assuming it goes well, the first baseman could be able to play in a Cactus League during the final stretch of spring training. Vaughn has been dealing with lower-back soreness for the last week but should be ready for Opening Day as long as he can avoid setbacks.

Vaughn (back) said he feels better after playing catch and fielding grounders Sunday, and he expects to return to swinging within the next couple days, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Pedro Grifol indicated Saturday the slugger will be out at least a few more days due to lower-back soreness, and there doesn't appear to be a rush to get him back into game action. There's just under two weeks before Opening Day, and Vaughn also said he could hit off a pitching machine at the end of camp if he needs additional reps at that point. His outlook for the start of the season will remain up in the air at least until he returns to full baseball activities.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol told reporters Saturday that Vaughn is going to be out a few more days with lower back soreness, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vaughn has been out of the lineup with what has been described as "general soreness," but Grifol offered more specifics Saturday. It sounds like the White Sox are taking precautions with the right-handed hitter, but it's obviously a situation to monitor for managers who have rostered or are considering a draft pick on the 24-year-old.

Vaughn is not in the lineup Friday versus the Cubs as he deals with general soreness, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vaughn is considered day-to-day and said that he would have played in Friday's game if the contest counted. There appears to be little concern for his Opening Day status.

Vaughn has gone for 7-for-19 with one home run, four RBI and two runs scored through seven games in Cactus League action.

EDGE Analysis

Vaughn has earned at-bats in the exhibition season at both first base and designated hitter, though he's projected to serve primarily in the former role once the regular season kicks off. He'll be tasked with filling in for Jose Abreu, who departed for the Houston Astros this offseason. Vaughn took a step forward in 2022, maintaining a .271/.321/.429 line across 555 plate appearances. He'll be asked to be a key contributor once again in 2023, with the hopes that he can another step forward in production.

Vaughn isn't starting Tuesday's game against the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

Vaughn has been going through a slump lately, hitting just .081 over the last two weeks. He will sit out Tuesday's contest in favor of AJ Pollock in left, allowing Adam Engel to start in center field and bat ninth.

Vaughn isn't starting Monday against Minnesota.

EDGE Analysis

Vaughn has hit just .067 with three RBI, a run, two walks and 10 strikeouts over his last 10 games, and he'll get a day off Monday. Mark Payton is taking over in left field and batting eighth.

Vaughn will sit Saturday against the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

Vaughn still owns a solid .779 OPS on the season, but he'll hit the bench after going 1-for-15 over his last four games. Mark Payton and Gavin Sheets will handle the outfield corners in his absence.