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TORONTO -- Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista will likely miss a few days with a mild hamstring strain but is not expected to go on the disabled list. The all-star right-fielder had an MRI exam done Monday after leaving Sundays game in Cincinnati. "Its definitely some of the best news I could have gotten," Bautista said. "I could have got the news of a torn hamstring or a higher-grade strain. But its the lowest grade strain that there could be -- grade one -- so its day by day." Bautista said theres a "really good chance" he wont have to go on the DL and added he might even be able to return during Torontos three-game series against the New York Yankees, which began Monday night at Rogers Centre. "Im not saying a start but a pinch-hit at-bat here or there, thats a possibility," he said. The Blue Jays have led the American League East standings for the last month but they won just three games on their recent 10-game road trip. Entering play Monday, Toronto had a 1 1/2-game lead on New York and the Baltimore Orioles. Toronto lost another key player over the weekend as infielder Brett Lawrie of Langley, B.C., will miss three to six weeks with a fractured right index finger. The Blue Jays placed him on the 15-day DL on Monday and recalled outfielders Anthony Gose and Kevin Pillar from triple-A Buffalo. "We need the two extra outfielders to cover while Jose is out," said Blue Jays manager John Gibbons. "When he comes back, I dont necessarily think we need two. But for the time being, we do." "Its an opportunity for somebody," Gibbons added. "Thats what it comes down to." Lawrie is batting .244 this season with 12 homers and 38 RBIs. The Blue Jays also optioned catcher Erik Kratz to the Bisons on Monday. Bautista is enjoying another strong season with a .305 average, 15 home runs and 49 RBIs in 77 games. His defensive play has been excellent and he leads all major-league players in fan voting for the July 15 all-star game in Minnesota. He suffered the injury while trying to leg out a single in the Blue Jays 4-3 loss to the Reds. "I was running down to first and I extended my leg to step on the bag and I just felt a little sharp pain," Bautista said. "The usual feeling when you strain a muscle. Ive been there before so I knew what was going on. I had a good idea at least. I just didnt know how bad it was. "I knew I could have made it worse by staying in the game so I came out." Gibbons was unable to provide a specific return date but was relieved it didnt appear to be a serious injury. "Hopefully just a couple days," he said. "Well see." The Blue Jays opened June with five straight wins but have gone 4-11 since, entering the series opener against the Yankees. The timing of the injuries and the recent slide have not helped ease concerns from a jittery fanbase that the teams rare first-place run could soon come to an end, especially with New York and Baltimore now so close in the standings. "I dont think it should be blown out of proportion," Bautista said. "I think we have capable guys that can fill in on a short-term basis and hopefully do a great job. "Certainly the other guys that are in the lineup that are still regulars, they are plenty good to carry the offence and the team on the field. So I wouldnt blow it out of proportion." At the end of his five-minute pre-game availability, Bautista was asked what hed say to the portion of the fanbase who believes the teams strong play last month was an aberration, and that the results from the last two weeks are more the expected norm. "Well good for them," he said. "I dont have to defend ourselves. If they want to root for the Yankees or the Red Sox, be my guest. They shouldnt be Jays fans if thats how they feel. Thats my opinion." Torontos lineup card for the opener of the three-game series against the Yankees had a different look. Designated hitter Adam Lind moved into Bautistas No. 3 slot, batting behind shortstop Jose Reyes and left-fielder Melky Cabrera. First baseman Edwin Encarnacion remained in the cleanup spot and centre-fielder Colby Rasmus batted fifth and catcher Dioner Navarro was in the No. 6 spot. Third baseman Juan Francisco batted seventh, ahead of second baseman Munenori Kawasaki and right-fielder Gose. Joel Iyiegbuniwe Jersey . Dalton completed his only pass and led the Bengals to a touchdown in his only drive -- one that took four minutes to finish -- and the Cincinnati Bengals ended the preseason with a 27-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday night. Tyler Bray Jersey . 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Rose recently called out his team and will see if his words resonated with the Bulls, who are slated to host the defending champion San Antonio Spurs Thursday at the United Center. You can catch all of the action LIVE on TSN2 at 8pm et/5pm pt. Everybody has to be on the same page, Rose said. Until then, were going to continue to get our (expletive) kicked. The Bulls have lost two in a row, four of five and six of the last eight games, including Mondays 108-94 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron James scored 26 points and Jimmy Butler countered with 20 points for Chicago, which shot a dismal 37.5 percent and was outrebounded 54-40. Rose was asked about not being on the same page. Its just the whole team, said Rose, who had 18 points. Aaron Brooks posted 16 points off the bench and both Taj Gibson and Pau Gasol recorded double-doubles. Gasol had 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Gibson finished with 10 points and 10 boards. We got to get better ... The way were playing is not acceptable, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. The Bulls will try to stop a three-game home losing streak and are 12-10 in the Windy City this season. After hosting the Spurs, Chicago will play seven of the next eight games on the road. In injury news for the Bulls, Mike Dunleavy (ankle) and Joakim Noah (ankle) are still dealing with their issues and could sit again Friday.dddddddddddd Noah hasnt played since Jan. 14 and is averaging 7.6 points and 9.4 rebounds. Dunleavy hasnt played since New Years Day and is posting 9.6 ppg. Noah and Dunleavy both practiced Wednesday and are day-to-day. Dunleavy is listed as questionable and Noah is doubtful. San Antonio enters Thursday nights game riding a four-game winning streak and improved to 8-2 in the last 10 games with Tuesdays 109-99 road triumph against the Denver Nuggets. Tony Parker led the way with 18 points, Kawhi Leonard added 17 and 15 rebounds, and Tim Duncan posted 16 points for the Spurs, who shot 45.2 percent for the game and reached 100 points for the second time in the last five games. Aron Baynes finished with 15 points and Manu Ginobili added 11 and eight assists. The Spurs missed 11 of their first 12 shots. We knew they were going to play with a lot of energy, Parker said. We knew it was going to be a tough game. S