NEW YORK -- Toronto Blue Jays slugger Edwin Encarnacion is out of the lineup against the New York Yankees because of a tender finger on his left hand.
Encarnacion's middle finger has been bothering him for a while, and he aggravated it on a swing Saturday. The first baseman and designated hitter was rested Sunday as second-place Toronto tried for a three-game sweep of the American League East leader.
Blue Jays manager John Gibbons hopes Encarnacion will feel better after the team's off day Monday.
Encarnacion is batting .251 with 21 homers and 64 RBIs this season. He had reached base safely in 16 consecutive games and is 5-for-10 with a home run against Masahiro Tanaka, the scheduled Yankees starter.
Justin Smoak was at first base for Toronto, with Chris Colabello the DH.
In other news, the Blue Jays optioned reserve infielder Munenori Kawasaki to Triple-A Buffalo to open a roster spot for utility infielder Cliff Pennington, acquired Saturday in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Pennington was in uniform and available off the bench.