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TORONTO – Jose Bautista missed his fourth consecutive game with an injured left hamstring when the Blue Jays took the field against the White Sox on Thursday night. He confirmed he wouldnt be able to play on Friday night either. But Bautista is progressing. “Better,” he said. “That is the best way I can describe it. It feels better than when it happened, better than the day after. So theres been a lot of progress. But Im obviously not ready to play, not today.” The first tests of Bautistas hamstring were passed on Monday and Tuesday. “Just to make sure I didnt need to go on the DL,” he said. The next test will be conducted on Saturday morning, hours before the third game of this four-game series. Bautista will run a series of sprints and, if his leg holds up, hell be available to at least pinch hit on the weekend. The Jays havent faced a left-handed starting pitcher since the Cardinals Jaime Garcia on June 8, a span of 17 games. Chicago will send three left-handers to the mound from Friday to Sunday, including most difficult challenges on Saturday (ace Chris Sale: 6-1, 2.27 ERA) and Sunday (Jose Quintana: 4-7, 3.69 ERA). Bautistas right-handed power bat would be especially welcomed. He admitted it can be difficult to remain patient as the hamstring heals. “Its tough because I dont want to handcuff the team by not being available,” said Bautista. “But at the same time I dont think I need the extra week to come back and, after two weeks, you normally would have to get some at-bats somewhere. I just dont want to go through that process because I dont feel like I need it.” In 77 games this season, Bautista is hitting .305/.433/.526 with 15 home runs and 59 walks to 48 strikeouts. He is baseballs leader in on-base percentage (.433) and bases-on-balls. Defensively, Bautistas eight outfield assists place him in a three-way tie for second. BAUTISTA CALLS FOR SUPPORT FOR ENCARNACION Edwin Encarnacion entered Thursdays action with 24 home runs, making him the major league co-leader with Baltimores Nelson Cruz. He is listed as a designated hitter on the All-Star fan voting ballot and currently sits fourth at the position behind Cruz, Bostons David Ortiz and Victor Martinez of the Tigers. Jose Bautista isnt happy about it. If the fans dont put Encarnacion into the game, Bautista expects the American League manager will. That man: former Jays skipper John Farrell. “How could you not pick the guy who is leading the league in home runs and RBIs?” asked Bautista. “Im surprised still that the fans havent come out and supported him better and hes not leading the votes for his position, but you cant control that as much as you can control a manager picking a player.” Encarnacion captured the imagination of Toronto fans and baseball in general with his 16-home run May. “I think, either way he should make the team,” said Bautista. “It would be a huge disappointment and let-down to all fans if you dont have a guy like Edwin dressed up for that game. No matter if its the other players or the manager picking him.” Bautista is the captain of the American League team for the annual Home Run Derby, which is held the night before the All-Star Game. Players who take part in the derby dont have to be participants in the game. However, Encarnacion has already told Bautista he wants no part of the derby. Bautista is actively recruiting potential derby-mates. He plans to speak to Chicagos rookie slugger, Jose Abreu (23 home runs) at some point this weekend. “I dont want to pick guys that dont want to do it and I dont want to force guys into doing it if they dont really feel like it, if theyre uncomfortable or they have some health issues,” said Bautista. “I want to win this, so Im not going to pick anybody who is going to be reserved in any way when they go and pick up a bat.” TOLLESONS VISION IMPROVING Steve Tolleson replaced Juan Francisco at third base in the seventh inning of Thursdays game against the White Sox, his first action on the homestand. He began suffering from dryness of the eyes and blurred vision on the last road trip. Tolleson made a Thursday visit to a cornea specialist, his fourth trip to an eye doctor in as many days, and came away with the diagnosis of an allergic reaction to contact lenses. Adidas NMD 2018 Online . Gomes drove in all three runs, including a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning, and Cleveland rallied for a 3-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. Adidas NMD Outlet . -- Caris LeVert had 14 points and a career-high 11 rebounds for his first career double-double, and No. http://www.cheapadidasnmd.com/ . Terrance Broadway threw for 227 yards and Hunter Stover kicked three field goals as the Ragin Cajuns won an unprecedented fourth straight New Orleans Bowl with a 16-3 triumph over Nevada. Wholesale Adidas NMD 2018 . -- Thirty years ago, the Detroit Pistons beat the Denver Nuggets 186-184 in triple overtime, a game that remains the highest scoring in NBA history. White Adidas NMD 2018 . The San Antonio Spurs handled the conditions, and the team, and it sure helped when a suffering LeBron James couldnt make it to the finish.Carey Price has taken a big step closer to returning to the Montreal Canadiens line-up. Price took part in a full practice with his teammates on Friday ahead of the teams Saturday night contest against the Ottawa Senators. TSNs John Lu reported from Canadiens practice Friday that Price was getting engaged physically, participating in short ice battle drills. He was knocked down in the crease twice - first by Rene Bourque, then by Brendan Gallagher - who received a shot from Price afterward. Price began practice splitting a net with Dustin Tokarski, who was called up from the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League in his absence. Tokarski was moved to the other goal, splitting time with Peter Budaj mid-way through Fridays practice. Coach Michel Therrien would not tip his hand as to whether he might play this weekend. “He had a really good day today but from our standpoint, nothing has changed, hes still day-to-day and well see where hes at tomorrow,” Coach Michel Therrien said after practice. “Were really pleased about the way he wwas capable to practice today.dddddddddddd” His teammates were similarly impressed with their netminders compete level on Friday. "I think hes trying to push it a little more," Gallagher told Lu after practice. "He looks as quick and powerful as hes always been." P.K. Subban was also happy to see Price getting back up to speed after the injury. "Im not a doctor or anything, but I do know that its a good sign when hes in practice and hes competing like that," he told TSN after practice. The 26-year-old netminder is yet to appear in a game for the Canadiens since returning from the Sochi Olympics. He exited his first practice with the Canadiens after aggravating an injury in his right leg. He has missed the Canadiens last eight games, with the team going 3-4-1 over that stretch. His last appearance for the Canadiens was a 4-1 win in the teams pre-Olympic finale against the Carolina Hurricanes on Feb. 8. Price went 5-0 with a staggering 0.59 goals-against average and a .972 save percentage with the Canadian team at Sochi. ' ' '