Report: Blue Jays' Jose Bautista eyes Sunday or Tuesday return

Four-time All-Star Jose Bautista is aiming to return Tuesday when the AL East-leading Blue Jays open their series at home vs. the Brewers, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reported on Saturday.

Bautista, 33, was out of Monday's starting lineup vs. the Yankees because of a mild left hamstring strain. It's possible he returns Sunday when Toronto wraps up its series vs. the White Sox, Chisholm reported. A two-time MLB home-run champion, Bautista is currently leading MLB in All-Star fan votes for the game in Minnesota in July.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said they won't rush him back, making a Tuesday return more likely than seeing him on the field on Sunday afternoon:

"Trust me, he won't be out there if he's not ready to go. We want to make sure he's going to be good and ready because we need him for the rest of the year."

Through 77 games this season, he is batting. 305 with 15 home runs and 49 RBI. The Blue Jays lost 4-3 to the White Sox on Saturday afternoon.

--Marc Weinreich