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Blue Jays' Saunders won't return from DL before April 24, says manager

Reuters

Michael Saunders's debut with the Blue Jays won't happen in front of his fellow countrymen in Toronto.

Saunders's recovery from spring knee surgery was interrupted by hamstring tightness earlier this week, and manager John Gibbons confirmed Friday that the 28-year-old won't join the active roster before April 24 - when the Blue Jays open a 10-game road trip in Tampa Bay.

Acquired from the Seattle Mariners this winter, Saunders had 60 percent of his left meniscus removed following a freak accident in spring training, but appeared in three rehab games with High-A Dunedin before experiencing right hamstring tightness in Sunday's contest against the Clearwater Threshers. 

Saunders hasn't played since departing Sunday's game after the first inning, though he is expected to return to the lineup Saturday when Dunedin takes on Brevard County.

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