TORONTO

Jays pitcher Henderson Alvarez leaves game with bruised shin

The Associated Press Published Monday, August 27, 2012 10:36PM EDT

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez throws against the New York Yankees in the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 27, 2012, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)

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NEW YORK - Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Henderson Alvarez has left his start against the New York Yankees with a bruised left shin.

Russell Martin hit a hard grounder off Alvarez's leg in the fourth inning Monday night and the ball caromed into shallow right field for an RBI single. Alvarez hobbled over to the first base line and bent over in pain. The right-hander was checked by a trainer and walked slowly off the field.

X-rays were negative and he is day to day.

Aaron Laffey came in to pitch for the banged-up Blue Jays and was given all the time he needed to warm up.

Alvarez also was checked by the trainer in the second inning after Eric Chavez's comebacker deflected off his pitching hand for an infield single. He threw a couple of warmup pitches and appeared to be OK.

Alvarez lost his previous four starts and hasn't won since July 28 against Detroit.