The Toronto Blue Jays will have some reinforcements as they get set to host a vital four-game series against the Chicago White Sox.
Jose Bautista is dealing with a minor strain in his left hamstring, but manager John Gibbons says he expects his star slugger to return to the lineup against the White Sox, though not as a starter right away.
“I don’t think you’ll see him in the lineup as a DH, but I think he could come in and pinch hit,” Gibbons told Baseball Central on Sportsnet 590 The Fan. “Hopefully this weekend he’s definitely back in the [starting] lineup.”
In 77 games this season, the two-time MLB home run champ has 15 HR, 49 RBI and a slash line of .305/.433/.526.
Gibbons added that the team has to be cautious with Bautista’s injury to ensure he doesn’t tweak it.
John Gibbons talks Blue Jays injuries, Drew Hutchison, Kevin Pillar and more on Baseball Central
Bautista won’t be the only player returning against the White Sox.
A spell of blurred vision prevented Steve Tolleson from playing in Wednesday’s 5-3 loss to the New York Yankees, but Gibbons said the 30-year-old “should be good to go” Thursday.
“He saw a doctor and they came up with a solution,” Gibbons explained.
In 44 games with the Blue Jays, Tolleson has seven RBI and a .228/.307/.405 slash line.
