News
Encarnacion out with groin injury
Scutaro making progress, but may be done for rest of year
By John Barone / MLB.com
09/29/09 6:50 PM ET
BOSTON -- The Blue Jays were without Edwin Encarnacion for Tuesday's game against the Red Sox, as the third baseman continues to experience soreness after complaining of mild left groin tightness following Monday's series-opening 11-5 rain-shortened win at Fenway Park.Already missing his starting shortstop in Marco Scutaro (right heel), manager Cito Gaston said Encarnacion will be reevaluated on Wednesday. His status is day-to-day.
"Edwin's a little sore," Gaston said. "He's going to miss [Tuesday's game], but we'll see what he's like [Wednesday]. Those things don't go away right away, so I don't know. We'll see what happens."
Acquired at the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline in a deal that sent Scott Rolen to the Reds, Encarnacion entered Tuesday batting .238 with six home runs and 19 RBIs in 39 games since joining the Jays. He is expected to be Toronto's everyday third baseman in 2010.
As for Scutaro, who is also considered day-to-day, Gaston said he was encouraged by the leadoff man's participation in pregame fielding drills and batting practice before Monday's contest. Scutaro repeated those exercises on Tuesday, but Gaston said he isn't certain the free-agent-to-be will play again this season.
"I watched him take batting practice [Monday], and he swung it pretty good," Gaston said. "That's good news, but I'm not sure he's going to play [the rest of the year]. We'll see what happens."
An eight-year Major League veteran, Scutaro has set or matched career marks this season with a .282 batting average, 12 homers, 60 RBIs and a .379 on-base percentage.
John Barone is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
