Melky suffers shin bruise after being hit by pitch

KANSAS CITY -- Blue Jays left fielder Melky Cabrera was diagnosed with a left shin bruise after being hit by a Danny Duffy pitch in the sixth inning of Wednesday's game against the Royals, but the Blue Jays don't expect to be without their starting left fielder for long.

Cabrera left the game and X-rays were negative. He is listed as day to day.

"He's going to be all right," manager John Gibbons said after Toronto's 4-2 loss to the Royals.

He was the first hitter against Duffy after the left-hander came on in relief of starter Yordano Ventura to open the sixth. Cabrera, batting right-handed, squared around in bunting position and a Duffy delivery hit him on the left leg. Cabrera stayed on the ground in pain for a few minutes before hobbling to the dugout with assistance.

He was replaced by Jonathan Diaz.

Cabrera entered the game with 41 hits, the most in the Major Leagues. His .347 batting average at the start of the night ranked second in the American League behind White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez at .355.