Jays hopeful Morales will avoid disabled list

RYAN WOLSTAT

Kendrys Morales had an MRI on Wednesday and John Gibbons termed the results “good news.”

The big designated hitter is dealing with a sore left hamstring after injuring it in Tuesday’s 6-0 loss to Cleveland, but Toronto’s manager is hopeful that Morales will only miss “a day or two” and avoid the 10-day disabled list.

Gibbons added that the Jays will get a better idea of Morales’ status on Thursday.

Morales has batted .244 with six home runs and 20 RBIs in 127 at-bats in his first season since signing with the Jays as a free agent. Tulowitzki, out since April 22 due to a hamstring strain of his own, is set to start rehab in Florida on Saturday.

The plan is to get Tulowitzki into a few games and if all goes well, the former all-star could rejoin the team and be in the lineup for next Wednesday’s game in Atlanta.

Gibbons has been impressed by the work done by backup infielders Ryan Goins and Darwin Barney in place of Tulowitzki and former American League MVP Josh Donaldson.

He said he isn’t sure where the Jays would be without them.

“They both have played really good. Ryan, he’s hit a couple of big home runs. He’s played great defence and Barney too. Barney always has that knack of doing something right at the right time,” Gibbons said.

“They both understand their roles and both have a pretty good idea of what they’re doing. They’ve done a nice job.”

Gibbons said Goins will see some time at third base when Tulowitzki returns to his duties at shortstop.