Melky Cabrera out for rest of Blue Jays season with fractured finger

The Blue Jays' odds of making a September push for the playoffs took a hit when it was revealed that starting left fielder Melky Cabrera requires surgery to repair a fractured finger.

Cabrera left Friday's 9-8 loss to the Red Sox in the sixth inning. He appeared to suffer the injury sliding back into first base after a pickoff attempt in the third inning.

His absence leaves a big hole at the top of the Blue Jays' order. He hit .301/.351/.458 with 16 home runs and 35 doubles in 139 games. He was limited to 88 games in 2013 as he dealt with an assortment of ailments, including a benign tumor in his back.

Cabrera, 30, is a free agent at the end of the season and is expected command a 4-5 year deal on the open market. Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos has indicated the club would like to keep Cabrera in Toronto.

Anthony Gose and Kevin Pillar are likely to split time in left field. Colby Rasmus was told his playing time would be reduced in September but Cabrera's injury could change that.

Moving Jose Bautista to the two-hole would be the ideal move for the Jays, although the star slugger has shown a resistance to hitting second in the past.

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