Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays slugger, has hernia surgery

Toronto Blue Jays slugger Edwin Encarnacion has undergone surgery to repair a sports hernia.

The team said in a release on Tuesday that the designated hitter/first baseman is expected to recover in time for spring training.

Encarnacion helped form one of the most feared batting orders during the regular season, belting 39 homers and driving in 111 runs.

He had a .333 average with a homer and three RBIs in Toronto's five-game win over Texas in its American League Division Series, but his production tailed off in the AL Championship Series against the Kansas City Royals.

He hit .227 with two RBIs as Kansas City dispatched Toronto in six games.