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TORONTO – Jose Bautista missed his fourth consecutive game with an injured left hamstring when the Blue Jays took the field against the White Sox on Thursday night. He confirmed he wouldnt be able to play on Friday night either. But Bautista is progressing. “Better,” he said. “That is the best way I can describe it. It feels better than when it happened, better than the day after. So theres been a lot of progress. But Im obviously not ready to play, not today.” The first tests of Bautistas hamstring were passed on Monday and Tuesday. “Just to make sure I didnt need to go on the DL,” he said. The next test will be conducted on Saturday morning, hours before the third game of this four-game series. Bautista will run a series of sprints and, if his leg holds up, hell be available to at least pinch hit on the weekend. The Jays havent faced a left-handed starting pitcher since the Cardinals Jaime Garcia on June 8, a span of 17 games. Chicago will send three left-handers to the mound from Friday to Sunday, including most difficult challenges on Saturday (ace Chris Sale: 6-1, 2.27 ERA) and Sunday (Jose Quintana: 4-7, 3.69 ERA). Bautistas right-handed power bat would be especially welcomed. He admitted it can be difficult to remain patient as the hamstring heals. “Its tough because I dont want to handcuff the team by not being available,” said Bautista. “But at the same time I dont think I need the extra week to come back and, after two weeks, you normally would have to get some at-bats somewhere. I just dont want to go through that process because I dont feel like I need it.” In 77 games this season, Bautista is hitting .305/.433/.526 with 15 home runs and 59 walks to 48 strikeouts. He is baseballs leader in on-base percentage (.433) and bases-on-balls. Defensively, Bautistas eight outfield assists place him in a three-way tie for second. BAUTISTA CALLS FOR SUPPORT FOR ENCARNACION Edwin Encarnacion entered Thursdays action with 24 home runs, making him the major league co-leader with Baltimores Nelson Cruz. He is listed as a designated hitter on the All-Star fan voting ballot and currently sits fourth at the position behind Cruz, Bostons David Ortiz and Victor Martinez of the Tigers. Jose Bautista isnt happy about it. If the fans dont put Encarnacion into the game, Bautista expects the American League manager will. That man: former Jays skipper John Farrell. “How could you not pick the guy who is leading the league in home runs and RBIs?” asked Bautista. “Im surprised still that the fans havent come out and supported him better and hes not leading the votes for his position, but you cant control that as much as you can control a manager picking a player.” Encarnacion captured the imagination of Toronto fans and baseball in general with his 16-home run May. “I think, either way he should make the team,” said Bautista. “It would be a huge disappointment and let-down to all fans if you dont have a guy like Edwin dressed up for that game. No matter if its the other players or the manager picking him.” Bautista is the captain of the American League team for the annual Home Run Derby, which is held the night before the All-Star Game. Players who take part in the derby dont have to be participants in the game. However, Encarnacion has already told Bautista he wants no part of the derby. Bautista is actively recruiting potential derby-mates. He plans to speak to Chicagos rookie slugger, Jose Abreu (23 home runs) at some point this weekend. “I dont want to pick guys that dont want to do it and I dont want to force guys into doing it if they dont really feel like it, if theyre uncomfortable or they have some health issues,” said Bautista. “I want to win this, so Im not going to pick anybody who is going to be reserved in any way when they go and pick up a bat.” TOLLESONS VISION IMPROVING Steve Tolleson replaced Juan Francisco at third base in the seventh inning of Thursdays game against the White Sox, his first action on the homestand. He began suffering from dryness of the eyes and blurred vision on the last road trip. Tolleson made a Thursday visit to a cornea specialist, his fourth trip to an eye doctor in as many days, and came away with the diagnosis of an allergic reaction to contact lenses. Patrick Roy Jersey . 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Against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday, Elias put the entire package together against one of the leagues strongest lineups.RALEIGH, N.C. -- Sean Collins scored with 13:34 left and the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-4 in an exhibition game Wednesday night. Marian Gaborik had two goals and an assist, Boone Jenner had a goal and an assist, Ryan Johansen also scored and Brandon Dubinsky had three assists for the Blue Jackets. Alexander Semin scored two goals, and Eric Staal and Jeremy Welsh also scored for Carolina. Staals goal put the HHurricanes up 4-2 with 12:37 left in the second period.dddddddddddd Johansen pulled Columbus to 4-3 by scoring on the power play with 6:21 left in the second, and Gaborik and Collins scored 4:53 apart early in the third. Cam Ward stopped 26 shots for Carolina. Curtis McElhinney made 18 saves but allowed all four goals before he was replaced by Mike McKenna with 11:15 left in the second. McKenna finished with 12 stops. ' ' '