Banged-up Arcia held out of starting lineup

TORONTO -- Oswaldo Arcia was held out of the lineup against the Blue Jays on Sunday for precautionary reasons after being hit by a pitch on his right hand in Saturday's 6-0 win.

Arcia was struck by a 78-mph knuckleball from R.A. Dickey on his hand in the sixth inning and ended up leaving the game in the seventh. But X-rays came back negative on Arcia's hand, and the injury was diagnosed as just a bruise.

Arcia is also dealing with some knee soreness, so Twins manager Ron Gardenhire felt it was a good day to keep Arcia out of the starting lineup, considering he had been in there every day since he was called up June 11.

"He's OK," Gardenhire said. "His hand is a little sore. So he's available to play. His knee is also a little sore. I think he did that at home while trying to go to second but stumbled when they threw the ball away. But he's OK. I just told him he'll be with me today, but he's available."

Clete Thomas made the start in left field in Arcia's absence. It marked just the second start in left field for Thomas this season.