Tight hamstring affecting Saunders' knee rehab

TORONTO -- Right hamstring tightness shouldn't stall Michael Saunders' recovery for more than a few days, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said prior to Monday's home opener against the Rays.

Saunders was removed from his rehab game on Sunday with Class A Advanced Dunedin.

"He was going to take [Monday] off," Gibbons said. "He should be able to go back at it tomorrow. Just a precautionary thing. Caught his attention. They tested him out. He seems fine, but better to take just one day, maybe two. We don't think it's a big deal."

It's still not clear when Saunders, who's on rehab assignment following left knee surgery, will be able to return to the lineup, but it's expected he might rejoin the Blue Jays at some point during this three-series homestand that ends on April 23.

Saunders was expected to advance to Triple-A Buffalo later this week, but Gibbons didn't say whether that timeline was still accurate.