Toronto Blue Jays Yunel Escobar hits a single against the Oakland Athletics during ninth inning action in Toronto on Tuesday, July 24, 2012.Aaron Vincent Elkaim/The Canadian Press
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Yunel Escobar was a late scratch from Wednesday night's game against the Oakland Athletics.
While trade deadline enthusiasts will believe that Escobar's absence means there is a big deal in the works the Blue Jays said it is nothing more than a bad back.
Escobar was replaced in the starting lineup by veteran Omar Vizquel, who will bat eighth in the order.