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Toronto Blue Jays manager John Farrell is suffering from pneumonia and will miss Friday night's game against Tampa Bay. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan DenetteNathan Denette/The Canadian Press

A bout with pneumonia kept Toronto Blue Jays manager John Farrell sidelined from Friday night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Don Wakamatsu, the Blue Jays bench coach, stepped into the breach while Farrell convalesces.

Toronto general manager Alex Anthopoulos said it wasn't a move that Farrell took easily.

"But the doctor said the best thing for him was rest," Anthopoulos said on Friday. "John's like a player in that respect, anytime he has anything going on he's always available and wants to be here. I wouldn't expect anything else.

"But again, your health always comes first."

Anthopoulos said it is hoped Farrell will miss just the one game but there is a chance his absence from the team could be longer.

Farrell complained of side pain during Thursday's game at Rogers Centre against the Kansas City Royals that was originally thought to be a muscle spasm.

Farrell left the dugout in the ninth inning and was taken to hospital for further investigation and doctors there determined he had walking pneumonia, a relatively minor infection of the lung.

Anthopoulos also told reporters that centre fielder Colby Rasmus, who has been sidelined the last two games with a sore right wrist, would be placed on the 15-day disabled list, effective on Saturday.

To take his place on the roster, the Blue Jays have claimed former Blue Jay DeWayne Wise from the Florida Marlins.

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