Encarnacion's debut stalled by oblique issue

The Toronto Blue Jays' potent lineup will be without one of its biggest weapons for at least the next week of spring training as Edwin Encarnacion will miss time with an oblique issue.

Encarnacion was set to make his spring debut on either Tuesday or Wednesday, before the complication arose.

Manager John Gibbons told reporters Tuesday that the 33-year-old is still expected to be ready for Opening Day on Apr. 3 against the Tampa Bay Rays.

"He's had back and leg issues in the past and has come out alright," Sportsnet's Hazel Mae reports.

Encarnacion - who is already a prototypical slow starter - hasn't played a game in spring training this season, missing time after having a tooth pulled in February.

The slugger was a major boon in Toronto's explosive offense last season, slashing .277/.372/.557 with 39 home runs and 111 RBIs, and has reportedly begun extension talks with the Blue Jays as he's in the last year of his current contract.