HOUSTON – Toronto Blue Jays infielder Brett Lawrie went 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored in six innings of work Friday as he began a rehabilitation assignment with single-A Dunedin.
Out since June 23 with a broken right index finger, Lawrie lined up at second base but he’ll rotate between there and the third base throughout a stint manager John Gibbons said is expected to last “at least a week.”
That should have Lawrie prepared for his return to the Blue Jays, who will likely ask him to do much of the same once activated.
“We’ll see how it all shapes up when that time comes,” said Gibbons. “That’s good news that he’s playing, he’s going to beat the other two guys. I thought it was going to be the opposite.”
The other two guys are Adam Lind (broken foot), who may start a rehab assignment sometime next week, and Edwin Encarnacion (quad strain), who has resumed physical activity after a minor setback while swinging the bat.
“Lindy’s moving along really quick,” said Gibbons, “Eddie’s making progress but he’s not close.”
The Blue Jays plan to take their time with Lawrie in the hopes of allowing him to hit the ground running, a luxury afforded to them by the club’s current strong play. When he returns, he’ll enter into some type of infield rotation that will also feature Juan Francisco, Danny Valencia and likely one of Ryan Goins or Munenori Kawasaki.
“Last year we brought (Lawrie) back a couple times with not a whole lot of playing time down there and he suffered for it, especially that first go-round,” said Gibbons. “He needs to get his timing.”
