Encarnacion returns to Blue Jays' lineup Wednesday

Relegated to the bench for the past two games due to soreness in his left middle finger, Toronto Blue Jays slugger Edwin Encarnacion will return to the lineup for Wednesday's contest against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.

Encarnacion, who has battled intermittent soreness since the All-Star break, aggravated his finger with an awkward swing in Saturday's doubleheader against the New York Yankees in the Bronx.

Though manager John Gibbons suggested the 32-year-old might miss all of his club's interleague series in Atlanta, Encarnacion will bat fourth and play first base Wednesday in lieu of Justin Smoak, who stroked his 16th homer of the season in Tuesday's 3-2 loss.

Encarnacion, a two-time All-Star, owns a .906 OPS (147 OPS+) with 32 homers and 30 doubles in 130 games this season, managing a gaudy .344/.435/.706 line throughout the second half.