Edwin Encarnacion to miss 2-4 weeks with leg injury

Jul 5, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion (10) leaves the field after injuring himself at first base during the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 5, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion (10) leaves the field after injuring himself at first base during the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Blue Jays slugger Edwin Encarnacion could miss two to four weeks after suffering a right quadriceps injury in the team’s 5-1 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Saturday, reports Jon Morosi of FOX Sports.

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Encarnacion will miss the All-Star Game as a result of the injury, which will require a trip to the 15-day disabled list and could keep him sidelined until August. Morosi says the timetable for Encarnacion’s return could still change “based on evaluations in [the] next few days,” but the DL trip is a certainty.

The injury occurred while Encarnacion was attempting to beat out a groundball in the first inning on Saturday. He immediately fell to the ground after the play, and needed help from trainers to be carried off the field.

“I felt [a] pop before I touched the base,” Encarnacion said to MLB.com. “That’s why, after I touched the base, I let my body go to the ground because I felt a lot of pain.”

It’s a major blow for the Blue Jays, who are currently a couple games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. Encarnacion has been one of the American League’s best hitters this season, and replicating his production will be nearly impossible.

In 88 games this season, Encarnacion has batted .277/.368/.591 with 21 doubles, 26 homers and a league-leading 70 RBI. He also leads the AL in total bases, and likely would’ve finished the season among the league leaders in numerous categories if he didn’t need to miss a month.

The injury will also frees up a spot on the AL All-Star team, which was announced on Sunday with Encarnacion as a reserve.