Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays slugger, sidelined with oblique injury

Toronto Blue Jays slugger Edwin Encarnacion will be sidelined for at least a week because of a strained side.

Manager John Gibbons calls it a "minor oblique problem" and expects Encarnacion to be ready for the April 3 opener at Tampa Bay.

The two-time All-Star first baseman-designated hitter was expected to make his spring training debut this week. Encarnacion already has missed more than two weeks recovering from an abscessed tooth that was pulled Feb. 28.

Encarnacion batted .277 with 39 homers and 111 RBIs last season, helping lead Toronto to its first AL East title in 22 years.