Sore back sidelines Lind as Johnson starts at first

NEW YORK -- With Adam Lind still dealing with back soreness, Dan Johnson started at first base on Sunday against the Yankees for the first time in 56 days.

A strained left hamstring landed Johnson on the disabled list at the end of July and sidelined him until Sept. 14, when he struck out during a pinch-hit appearance against the Rays. He had been told he could pinch-hit on several occasions since then if the right situation presented itself, but he didn't get any at-bats in the past week.

"Each time it seems like it's going the other way," Johnson said of the pinch-hitting chances never materializing.

Johnson, whose last three starts have all come at Yankee Stadium, was hitting .229 with one home run and seven RBIs in 14 games entering Sunday.

Lind, who missed his second straight game, told Blue Jays manager John Gibbons that his back locked up after Friday night's game. He received treatment on Saturday, and the club is hoping that it will not be a long-term issue.