Tolleson makes first start since daughter's birth

TORONTO -- Steve Tolleson was back in the lineup Sunday against lefty David Price and the Tigers for the first time since being reinstated from the paternity list. He went 0-for-2 with a walk an a run scored in the Blue Jays' 6-5 victory in 19 innings.

Tolleson missed all three games of the Blue Jays' series against the Orioles, but he returned to the team Friday after his wife, Baileigh, gave birth to their second daughter, Sarah, in their hometown of Spartanburg, S.C.

"I wasn't split on where I had to be. I knew I was where I needed to be [with my family]," Tolleson said. "But I pour my heart and soul into this team, so it was tough to watch them play Baltimore, them having a lefty going for a game and four lefties in the 'pen."

Baileigh, who had been living in Toronto with Tolleson until the All-Star break, will remain in South Carolina for now. The couple, who have been married eight years, haven't decided if they plan on having another child. Their first daughter, Claire, was born in the offseason two years ago. That experience was a lot easier, said Tolleson.

"Offseason babies are the way to do it," Tolleson joked. "That was the plan this time, but you can't always plan everything. It just happened."

Tolleson, 30, is batting .244 with three homers in 74 games with the Blue Jays this season. He mainly sees playing time when the club is facing lefties, against whom he hit .341 (28-for-82) with a .944 OPS.