Cabrera probably out until September

TORONTO -- Left fielder Melky Cabrera is expected to be out the Blue Jays' lineup until at least the beginning of September.

Cabrera has been on the 15-day disabled list since Aug. 2 with a left knee injury. Toronto originally said there were "issues" found in the meniscus and that he would have to be sent for further evaluations at the club's Minor League complex in Florida.

Surgery was a possibility, but that has since been ruled out and the former All-Star will now go through a period of rest before eventually resuming baseball activities.

"I wouldn't expect him back before September, that's all we really know," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "There was a question of whether they were going to need to scope it to clean it up, but they didn't need to do that. Now it's just resting it, healing up."

Cabrera has been bothered by injuries in both of his legs since the end of Spring Training. It has severely hampered his range in left, while possibly having a negative impact on his offensive numbers. Cabrera is hitting .279 this season, but has only 20 extra-base hits in 88 games.

Emilio Bonifacio and Rajai Davis will continue to split time in left during Cabrera's absence. If Cabrera suffers any type of setback, it's likely prospect Kevin Pillar will also get a look in the outfield when the Blue Jays' roster can be expanded to 40 players on Sept. 1.