Marlins' Christian Yelich: Targeting return by end of week

Despite being announced as a pinch hitter during Monday's win over the Rays, Yelich (back) was unavailable for the game, MLB.com reports. The team is hopeful he will return by the end of the week.

Analysis:

Manager Don Mattingly coyly used the left-handed hitting Yelich as a decoy, while insisting after the game that he would not have come to the plate. Instead, the Rays brought in a left-handed pitcher and Mattingly sent Cole Gillespie to the plate. Yelich, batting .320/.420/.524 over 147 at-bats this season has not appeared in a game since tweaking his back Saturday.