Major League Baseball

Blue Jays' Encarnacion will miss All-Star Game because of quad strain

Published Jul. 6, 2014 8:35 p.m. ET

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Edwin Encarnacion's face showed signs of anguish, the result of a right quad strain that will keep him out of the All-Star Game and, more important, out of the Toronto lineup for at least two weeks.

Encarnacion was on the bench Sunday when the Oakland Athletics completed a four-game sweep of the Blue Jays with a 4-2 victory. Toronto fell two games behind the American League East-leading Baltimore Orioles.

''It hurts us not having him on the team,'' said Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista, who was also chosen to the AL All-Star team, along with left-hander Mark Buehrle. ''The No. 1 priority is to get him better.''

The Blue Jays managed just five hits against Jeff Samardzija, who made his Oakland debut, and closer Sean Doolittle. Without Encarnacion in the lineup, Bautista doesn't have the same support.

''I'm happy to be named an All-Star,'' Encarnacion said, who earned the honor for the second time. ''I won't be playing. I will be working my leg to get back to the field as soon as I can.''

A source told FOX Sports 1 MLB Insider Jon Paul Morosi that Encarnacion will be placed on the disabled list. The Blue Jays have not set a firm timetable, but he could miss four weeks or more. 

Encarnacion was injured in the first inning of Saturday's loss after he drove in a run.

Bautista, nursing a hamstring injury, made a rare start at first base in Encarnacion's place.

''It was sore, but I was able to run and make plays,'' Bautista said. ''It shouldn't be too long before I'm back in right field.''

Depending on the way things change over the next week, Bautista said he is ready to play anywhere, whether it be the outfield, first base or third base.

''Throw me in the fire,'' he said. ''If playing third gives us our best lineup, so be it. We can't afford to be picky. We have to strap it on and do it.''

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