By Steph Rogers
SPECIAL TO SPORTSNET.CA
FORT MYERS — Brett Lawrie rejoined the Blue Jays in Dunedin on Monday, but the timeline for his return to action remains unknown.
The 23-year-old Toronto Blue Jays third baseman is out indefinitely after suffering a left rib strain on March 6 while playing for Team Canada in an exhibition game against the Cincinnati Reds.
“They don’t think it’s anything serious, but that injury is always serious,” Blue Jays John Gibbons said Tuesday prior to his team’s game against the Boston Red Sox at jetBlue Park. “If you don’t get rid of it, it can come back to haunt you. It could be a long-term thing, so we’re going to be cautious.”
In Dunedin Tuesday, Lawrie told reporters he remains hopeful he can return to the Blue Jays lineup in time for Opening Day.
Lawrie has no time line on a return, nor when he’ll resume baseball activities. “It’s about me and how I’m feeling & progressing.” #Bluejays
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) March 12, 2013
Gibbons anticipates his third baseman returning to Grapefruit League play in a couple of weeks.
A right oblique strain last August knocked Lawrie out for nearly two months.
“If it lingers or anything, he might miss opening day,” Gibbons said, adding he thinks Lawrie has learned from last year’s injury.
“He wants to be out on the field, he’s full of energy. He’s a guy you almost have to back down a little bit because he goes about everything so hard.
“I think he’s smart enough to know, and from that experience last year, it’ll certainly help.”