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TORONTO – Jose Bautista missed his fourth consecutive game with an injured left hamstring when the Blue Jays took the field against the White Sox on Thursday night. Devin McCourty Patriots Jersey . He confirmed he wouldnt be able to play on Friday night either. But Bautista is progressing. “Better,” he said. “That is the best way I can describe it. It feels better than when it happened, better than the day after. So theres been a lot of progress. But Im obviously not ready to play, not today.” The first tests of Bautistas hamstring were passed on Monday and Tuesday. “Just to make sure I didnt need to go on the DL,” he said. The next test will be conducted on Saturday morning, hours before the third game of this four-game series. Bautista will run a series of sprints and, if his leg holds up, hell be available to at least pinch hit on the weekend. The Jays havent faced a left-handed starting pitcher since the Cardinals Jaime Garcia on June 8, a span of 17 games. Chicago will send three left-handers to the mound from Friday to Sunday, including most difficult challenges on Saturday (ace Chris Sale: 6-1, 2.27 ERA) and Sunday (Jose Quintana: 4-7, 3.69 ERA). Bautistas right-handed power bat would be especially welcomed. He admitted it can be difficult to remain patient as the hamstring heals. “Its tough because I dont want to handcuff the team by not being available,” said Bautista. “But at the same time I dont think I need the extra week to come back and, after two weeks, you normally would have to get some at-bats somewhere. I just dont want to go through that process because I dont feel like I need it.” In 77 games this season, Bautista is hitting .305/.433/.526 with 15 home runs and 59 walks to 48 strikeouts. He is baseballs leader in on-base percentage (.433) and bases-on-balls. Defensively, Bautistas eight outfield assists place him in a three-way tie for second. BAUTISTA CALLS FOR SUPPORT FOR ENCARNACION Edwin Encarnacion entered Thursdays action with 24 home runs, making him the major league co-leader with Baltimores Nelson Cruz. He is listed as a designated hitter on the All-Star fan voting ballot and currently sits fourth at the position behind Cruz, Bostons David Ortiz and Victor Martinez of the Tigers. Jose Bautista isnt happy about it. If the fans dont put Encarnacion into the game, Bautista expects the American League manager will. That man: former Jays skipper John Farrell. “How could you not pick the guy who is leading the league in home runs and RBIs?” asked Bautista. “Im surprised still that the fans havent come out and supported him better and hes not leading the votes for his position, but you cant control that as much as you can control a manager picking a player.” Encarnacion captured the imagination of Toronto fans and baseball in general with his 16-home run May. “I think, either way he should make the team,” said Bautista. “It would be a huge disappointment and let-down to all fans if you dont have a guy like Edwin dressed up for that game. No matter if its the other players or the manager picking him.” Bautista is the captain of the American League team for the annual Home Run Derby, which is held the night before the All-Star Game. Players who take part in the derby dont have to be participants in the game. However, Encarnacion has already told Bautista he wants no part of the derby. Bautista is actively recruiting potential derby-mates. He plans to speak to Chicagos rookie slugger, Jose Abreu (23 home runs) at some point this weekend. “I dont want to pick guys that dont want to do it and I dont want to force guys into doing it if they dont really feel like it, if theyre uncomfortable or they have some health issues,” said Bautista. “I want to win this, so Im not going to pick anybody who is going to be reserved in any way when they go and pick up a bat.” TOLLESONS VISION IMPROVING Steve Tolleson replaced Juan Francisco at third base in the seventh inning of Thursdays game against the White Sox, his first action on the homestand. He began suffering from dryness of the eyes and blurred vision on the last road trip. Tolleson made a Thursday visit to a cornea specialist, his fourth trip to an eye doctor in as many days, and came away with the diagnosis of an allergic reaction to contact lenses. Tommy Kelly Official .C. -- After a listless first half, the Washington Wizards used a big third quarter run to beat the Charlotte Bobcats Bradley Beal scored 21 points and the Wizards used a 17-0 run in the third quarter to take control of what had been a close game and beat the Bobcats 97-83 on Tuesday night. Joe Vellano Jersey . - Alex Gordon went from a bust to busting the bank.MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins and third baseman Trevor Plouffe have agreed to a $2.35 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. Plouffe batted .254 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs in 477 at-bats last season, his second as a regular in the lineup. He had 13 errors. In 2012, Plouffe homered 24 times, but he batted . Will Smith Patriots Jersey. 235 in 422 at-bats and was charged with 17 errors. Drafted as a shortstop in the first round in 2004, Plouffe has also been used in right field and at second base. Minnesota announced the deal on Friday. Two Twins remained in arbitration: left-hander Brian Duensing and right-hander Anthony Swarzak. cheap jerseys cheap jerseys from china ' ' '