Lawrie progressing during rehab with Dunedin
Infielder could return to the Blue Jays during weekend set against Tigers
HOUSTON -- Brett Lawrie appears to be rounding into form rather quickly during his rehab assignment with Class A Advanced Dunedin.
Lawrie went 2-for-3 with a double in his second game on Saturday night. The Blue Jays' infielder is 3-for-6 with a double, a walk, two runs scored and a pair of strikeouts in two games.
The most important thing is that Lawrie hasn't felt any lingering effects from the fractured right index finger he suffered on June 22.
"Felt good, normal body soreness," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said.
Lawrie started Friday night at second base and the following day he was at third. He is expected to continue shifting between those positions in preparation for a similar role upon his return to the Majors.
When that return will happen is unclear. Gibbons originally estimated that Lawrie would need "at least a week" of rehab games, but it's possible the timeline could be adjusted if he exceeds expectations.
Lawrie was scheduled to play for Dunedin on Sunday night, but he has yet to appear in a full nine innings. Dunedin has two games remaining in its series vs. Palm Beach before hitting the road for a four-game series in nearby Lakeland, Fla.
One logical assumption is that Lawrie will remain in Dunedin until at least Monday. From there, he could make the jump to Double-A New Hampshire, which opens a three-game series in Erie, Pa., on Tuesday.
Lawrie normally would have made the jump to Triple-A Buffalo at some point this week, but that club's schedule isn't particularly favorable. Buffalo has an afternoon game in Norfolk, Va., on Tuesday, an off-day on Wednesday and then travels to Durham, N.C., for a doubleheader on Thursday.
Unless Lawrie suffers a setback, there's a good chance he could return for an upcoming series against the Tigers on Friday. He is hitting .244 with 12 homers and 38 RBIs in 69 games this season.