Lind hopeful he can avoid a DL stint

TORONTO -- The back issues that plagued Adam Lind in each of the past three seasons have resurfaced, and all he can do is hope it doesn't become another long-term issue.

Toronto's first baseman/designated hitter was forced to leave Sunday afternoon's game against the Red Sox in the third inning after aggravating his back while attempting to catch a pop fly in shallow right field.

Lind strained a muscle in his mid-back area and is currently listed as day to day but -- at least for now -- remains optimistic that he can avoid a stint on the 15-day disabled list. He didn't play in Monday's 8-3 win over the Tigers, and his replacement, Mark DeRosa, hit a three-run homer.

"Right now, hopefully it's just a couple days," Lind said. "I came out of the game so it would only be a couple days instead of trying to play through it and turn it into a month. That's the reason.

"I could have come out [of games] the last few years, but I decided to try to stick it out and play and a few extra innings, and it results in a month on the DL. I didn't want to put myself through that again, so it seemed like the smart thing to do."

The fact that Lind's back has become a concern again this season doesn't exactly come as a surprise considering his history. The native of Indiana missed 28 games in 2012 and an additional 24 in 2011 because of various back ailments.

The soreness is in a different spot this year, but it's an overall problem Lind has been forced to manage on a semi-regular basis and one that is unlikely to completely disappear over time.

Lind's injury could not have come at much of a worse time for the Blue Jays. The eight-year veteran has been one of the hottest hitters in the American League, as evidenced by his .361 average (60-for-166) with 11 homers, 30 RBIs and a 1.017 OPS since May 7.

"I was pretty distraught, especially for a couple innings," Lind said about suffering the injury. "It took the doctor like four innings to get to the clubhouse. It was just like, 'C'mon.' I was pretty shook up.

"He did two tests and they weren't exactly detailed tests. He was like, 'Ah, it's a muscle strain.' So hopefully they're right and I'll be back out there [Tuesday] or Wednesday."