Brett Lawrie lifted from game with hamstring tightness

May 4, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Brett Lawrie (13) leaps over a sliding Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Chris Stewart (19) after making a throw to first to complete a double play in the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The injury bug continues to plague the Toronto Blue Jays, with third baseman Brett Lawrie the latest victim.  Lawrie was replaced by Chris Getz in the bottom of the fourth inning with a hamstring injury.

The injury appeared to occur during the top of the fourth inning, when he was trying to run out a ground ball to shortstop in his second at-bat of the game. Making his third start this season at second base, the Blue Jays opted to lift Lawrie in the bottom half of the inning, allowing Chris Getz to slide into the keystone instead.

Unfortunately, the injury comes at a bad time for Lawrie. After a slow start, Lawrie has slashed .405/.432/.619 with 2 home runs and 6 RBI over his last 10 games. That has pushed Lawrie’s 2014 batting line to .233/.280/.414 and his 21 RBI lead the Blue Jays entering play on Monday .

For now, the Blue Jays are considering Lawrie as day-to-day, but it will be interesting to see what they choose to do. Thanks to the presence of Juan Francisco, who has experience at third base and has started there in the games Lawrie has appeared as second, the Jays have roster flexibility in case Lawrie needs a stint on the disabled list to shake off the tightness. And with Adam Lind close to returning from the DL himself, the open roster spot could make it easier for the Blue Jays to fit the productive Francisco into the line-up for an extended period of time.