Rangers' Hamilton out against Blue Jays

TORONTO -- Josh Hamilton was out of the Texas Rangers' lineup Monday, and it's possible that he could miss multiple games while recovering from a back injury. "He came in with discomfort, so we're still in day-to-day mode," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. Washington said Hamilton's status will be reevaluated Tuesday, the second day of the Rangers' three-game series against the Blue Jays. Washington believes the injury is muscular in nature. For now, the 30-year-old isn't scheduled to undergo any tests. "I guess it just depends on when those big muscles in his body decide to give," Washington said. Hamilton had played in all of the Rangers' 22 games through Sunday. He leads the American League with nine home runs and 25 RBI and is second with a .395 batting average. Hamilton had been Texas' No. 3 hitter in every game this season. Washington moved the versatile Michael Young into that spot Monday. Craig Gentry took Hamilton's position in center field, flanked by David Murphy in left and Nelson Cruz in right. Hamilton didn't emerge from the clubhouse to stretch with his teammates before Monday's game, an indication that it's unlikely he will be ready to enter as a pinch hitter. Washington said the artificial surface at Rogers Centre -- which can be hard on a player's back and knees -- won't influence his thinking on when Hamilton returns. "I'm not going to let the turf stop us from putting our best team out there, unless it's detrimental," Washington said. "He's just got some stiffness. We've just got to wait until he can do what he has to do comfortably."