Jose Bautista has strained hamstring, hoping to avoid disabled list
By Hayden Kane
The Toronto Blue Jays are hoping to avoid a double dose of bad injury news this week. In order for that to happen, they will need slugger Jose Bautista to return sometime soon as expected.
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Having already lost Brett Lawrie to the disabled list due to a broken index finger, the Blue Jays held their breath as Bautista and his .305/.433/.526 slash line went in for an MRI on the hamstring injury that pulled him from Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds. For now it looks like they have received good news about his status. According to Chris Toman of MLB.com:
"MRI results on four-time All-Star Jose Bautista’s left hamstring revealed a Grade 1 strain, the mildest form, and the club is hopeful the right fielder can return to the lineup in some capacity during Toronto’s pivotal three-game set at Rogers Centre against the division-rival Yankees."
Such is the beauty of the designated hitter as the Blue Jays look to right the ship after a recent tough stretch; that might at least give the Blue Jays a chance to get Bautista’s bat in the lineup even if he isn’t able to roam right field for a few more days.
This news comes on the same day that Bautista was named the captain of the American League home run derby team opposite Troy Tulowitzki in the National League. Presuming this is nothing major, Bautista is on track to represent the AL in the derby and the AL in the All-Star Game as he continues to lead the Blue Jays atop their division.