NO “FORTNITE” IN CLUBHOUSE FOR REELING RED SOX

Major League Baseball’s reigning champs are off to a rough start this season, but there will be no llama drama for the Red Sox.

Multiple players said that the team has removed the video game “Fortnite” from the clubhouse, believing it was “becoming counterproductive to putting their best foot forward on the field.” The Red Sox have struggled mightily to start the season, sitting at 14-17 and 5 ½ games back of the first-place Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East.

“I think there is a time and place for that, too,” Red Sox pitcher Nathan Eovaldi said. “Maybe if we were doing a little better maybe we would be doing it, but you can’t be losing and playing Fortnite in the clubhouse.”

The Red Sox’ players have long embraced the game that’s been embraced by more than 250 million people world wide. It first made news in Boston when rumors attributed David Price’s carpal tunnel syndrome to his love for gaming, and also surfaced when the team’s outfielders used the game’s signature dance moves to revel in victories.

Price clarified Thursday that there is no official ban on the game, the team just wanted a different dynamic in the clubhouse.

Cubs option Russell to Triple-A after completing suspension.

CHICAGO» The Chicago Cubs have optioned shortstop Addison Russell to Triple-A Iowa after he completed his 40-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Cubs transferred closer Brandon Morrow (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Russell was eligible to rejoin the Cubs when they open a weekend series against St. Louis at home Friday. But manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday in Seattle the team wanted to give him more time at Triple-A to get ready.

Marjama suspended 80 games for positive steroids test.

NEW

YORK» Retired catcher Mike Marjama has been suspended for 80 games following a positive steroids test. Major League Baseball said Thursday that Marjama had applied for reinstatement from the voluntary retired list and was suspended for a positive test for the banned performance-enhancing substance Oxandrolone.

Marjama has played 15 major league games for Seattle over the 2017 and ‘18 seasons.