Blue Jays 3B Brett Lawrie out of lineup with tight lower back

CHICAGO – Third baseman Brett Lawrie is out of the Toronto Blue Jays’ lineup due to tightness in his lower back.

Lawrie was lifted in the sixth inning of Saturday’s 2-0 loss to the Chicago White Sox for precautionary reasons. Blue Jays manager John Farrell said Lawrie felt better Sunday morning, but Farrell didn’t want to risk further injury with the All-Star break imminent.

Lawrie had played in all of Toronto’s games this season except for four, when he sat out in May due to a suspension.

The 22-year-old Lawrie is hitting .291 with eight homers and 33 RBIs for the Blue Jays, who fell under .500 after Saturday’s loss, their third straight. Lawrie had been Toronto’s leadoff hitter in 31 straight games before Sunday.