Bautista returns to Blue Jays' lineup

TORONTO (AP) Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista is back in the starting lineup as the designated hitter for Tuesday afternoon's game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

It's Bautista's first start since leaving a June 22 game at Cincinnati with a strained left hamstring. He made a pinch-hit appearance against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday, grounding into a fielder's choice and stranding two runners.

Bautista, who leads all major leaguers in All-Star voting, is batting .304 with 15 homers and 49 RBIs.

Manager John Gibbons said he hoped Bautista would be able to return to right field Wednesday.

Bautista ran in the outfield before Sunday's game and said his hamstring was still sore. The Blue Jays were off Monday.