Blue Jays place Saunders on DL with knee inflammation

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Michael Saunders continues to deal with the residual effects of spring knee surgery.

Saunders was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with inflammation in his surgically repaired left knee, forcing the Blue Jays to recall utility man Steve Tolleson was from Triple-A Buffalo.

Initially expected to miss the first half of the season after suffering a knee injury days before spring training while shagging fly balls, Saunders opted to have 60 percent of his meniscus removed in February and made his Blue Jays' debut on April 25.

The 28-year-old appeared in the corner outfield in nine games this season and looked comfortable making an athletic catch Saturday that robbed Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz of a hit. Saunders, however, has struggled at the plate, hitting .194/.306/.194 with no extra-base hits and three RBIs while hitting near the bottom of the order.

With Saunders on the disabled list for a second time this season, the Blue Jays' outfield is now devoid of the three players who were projected to start the season there. Dalton Pompey was optioned to Triple-A earlier this month while Jose Bautista has been relegated to DH duties with a sore right shoulder that prevents him from throwing.