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Blue Jays monitoring Encarnacion's sprained wrist

TORONTO -- Edwin Encarnacion missed his third consecutive game Wednesday night, and the Blue Jays remain uncertain about when he'll be able to get back into the lineup.

Encarnacion had been out since Sunday afternoon with a sprained left wrist. It's an issue he has been dealing with for most of the season but became a little more serious after a swing during Saturday night's 12-6 loss to the Angels.

The 30-year-old first baseman hasn't been able to swing a bat since and will need to test his wrist in the cage or during batting practice before he can be cleared to return on the field.

"He's still day to day," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "He feels better, but he's still not good enough to play."

The Blue Jays have only 17 games remaining in the season, so the clock is ticking on Encarnacion's ability to get back into the lineup. If he suffers any type of setback he could be shut down for the season, but at least for now Toronto remains optimistic that won't be necessary.

Encarnacion does have plenty of incentive to get back into the lineup even with the Blue Jays not in contention for a spot in the postseason. Encarnacion is just four home runs shy of 40 and is looking to become the first Blue Jays player to reach that mark in consecutive seasons since Jose Bautista did it from 2010-11.

"It's too painful right now, but we'll see where it goes," Gibbons said. "But he's definitely not ready today."

Gregor Chisholm is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, North of the Border, and follow him on Twitter @gregorMLB.
Read More: Toronto Blue Jays, Edwin Encarnacion