DETROIT -- Toronto Blue Jays slugger Edwin Encarnacion sat out Thursday's game against the Tigers with what the team describes as a minor back problem.
Manager John Gibbons said he wanted to let Encarnacion rest Thursday, but he hopes the first baseman will be able to play Friday night against the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Blue Jays didn't miss Encarnacion's bat Thursday, however, as they completed a three-game sweep of the Tigers with a 7-3 victory.
Encarnacion is batting .273 with 19 home runs and 50 RBIs on the season for the AL East-leading Blue Jays.
Gibbons also provided an update on outfielder Colby Rasmus, who is on the disabled list with a right hamstring injury. Gibbons says Rasmus took batting practice and ran the bases Wednesday in Florida.
Detroit, meanwhile, left shortstop Eugenio Suarez out of the starting lineup. Suarez hurt his left knee in his major league debut Wednesday night.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
