TORONTO – Jose Bautista insists no extra precautions will be necessary as he rejoins the Toronto Blue Jays after a five-week layoff with turf toe.
"I’m going to go out there and play baseball," the right-fielder said before Monday’s series opener against the San Diego Padres. "That’s about as honest as I can be, I don’t really know how to play other than the way that I play. There are times you might not want to push it when there’s a play that doesn’t warrant it, but I’m going out there to make baseball plays."
Bautista was activated from the disabled list earlier in the day, with outfielder Junior Lake designated for assignment to clear a roster spot, and manager John Gibbons placed him right back in the leadoff spot. He hasn’t played since June 16, when his big toe clipped an edge of the wall in Philadelphia and hyperextended.
The injury can be extremely painful given the amount of torque the big toe takes and recovery times vary.
"There are always things to deal with, I can’t say that I’m 100 per cent, but it’s definitely something that I can manage to play with," said Bautista. "Percentages and stuff like that, I know you guys love to put numbers to that, but it’s impossible. I can play, I’m good to go."
Bautista missed 30 games in all, with the Blue Jays going 17-13 in his absence. They headed into Monday’s play three games behind the Baltimore Orioles for top spot in the American League East and in possession of the second wild card.
"Overall, it’s just the way we’re playing the game," Bautista said of what impressed him about the team’s play during his absence. "Offence really picked up, starting pitching has been our staple since Day 1, the bullpen has had its ups and downs, but defence has been outstanding, base-running has been pretty good, it’s just good overall consistent play. That’s what good teams do, they figure out how to win games on any given day using their arsenal and we’ve figured out how to do that, that’s why we’re in the position we’re in right now."
Bautista played four rehab games prior to his activation, collecting two hits in 14 at-bats, including a home run in his first game with single-A Dunedin. Fully regaining his timing will be the primary challenge in the next few days.
"Until you get out here and start playing in these games there’s no way to pin-point," he said. "I feel physically as good as I can be, mentally also. It’s a matter of execution. I’ve had (14) at-bats after a five-week layoff – if I tell you I’m in mid-season form I’d be lying, but I feel like I can step into a major-league baseball game and then have good at-bats."