Brett Lawrie activated off disabled list, only to injure back

Just wait until we get healthy. That’s what the Toronto Blue Jays keep telling people.

More from MLB

• Braves get dose of bad news on Max Fried as ace nears return
• Shohei Ohtani trade rumors live tracker: Every update so far
• MLB Rumors: Yankees mistake, Cardinals trade package, Cubs choice
• Inside the Clubhouse: What I’m hearing ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline
• After frantic trade day, Kiké Hernandez grateful for second chance with Dodgers

As the Blue Jays made no moves at the trade deadline, specifically nothing to upgrade their infield or their offense more generally, they insisted that help was coming in the form of improved health to some of their key players. Just wait, they urged, until Edwin Encarnacion, Adam Lind, and Brett Lawrie return to the starting lineup.

In Lawrie’s case, he was finally able to return from the broken finger that landed him on the disabled list earlier this year. That was key for the Blue Jays not only in terms of getting his bat, but also in terms of having better options at second and third base.

Unfortunately for Lawrie and for Toronto, he only returned to get hurt once again. This time the issue was a back injury. According to Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com:

"Toronto activated infielder Brett Lawrie from the 15-day disabled list prior to Tuesday night’s game vs. the Orioles. However, the third baseman exited before the top of the fourth inning with lower back tightness."

Lawrie has ended up with a number of false starts and hitches to a season that has otherwise shown some promise. Yes, Lawrie’s average is hanging around a lowly .244 mark, but the 12 home runs he has shown that he can be an impact guy. That is especially the case if he is taking up time at second base. He also brings a plus glove, especially in those moments when he is over at third.

The Blue Jays are better if Lawrie is involved; unfortunately for them, they will have to wait and hope once again that hewill get a clean bill of health.