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Toronto OF Saunders could return in April after knee surgery

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Michael Saunders leaves the clubhouse on crutches at baseball spring training in Dunedin, Fla., Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015. Saunders could be sidelined until around the All-Star break after stepping on a sprinkler while shagging fly balls and tearing the meniscus in his left knee on Wednesday. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette) Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Michael Saunders leaves the clubhouse on crutches at baseball spring training in Dunedin, Fla., Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015. Saunders could be sidelined until around the All-Star break after stepping on a sprinkler while shagging fly balls and tearing the meniscus in his left knee on Wednesday. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)

By Associated Press February 27, 2015 1 min read

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) – Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Michael Saunders has undergone surgery on his left knee and could return to the team in five to six weeks.

Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Friday that Saunders might be back sooner than anticipated, possibly in mid-April.

Saunders tore cartilage in his knee Wednesday when he stepped on a sprinkler while shagging fly balls on a side field at spring training. He was originally expected to be out until mid-July.

The Blue Jays got Saunders in an offseason trade with Seattle and project him as a starter this year.