TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays are hoping a cortisone shot in Jose Bautista’s troubled right shoulder will speed the all-star slugger’s healing process, and allow him to return to right field in the near future.
Bautista wasn’t in the starting lineup for Sunday’s series finale versus the Seattle Mariners and it’s unclear if he’ll be ready for Monday’s opener against the Chicago White Sox.
The cortisone, used to reduce inflammation in an injured area, typically causes soreness immediately after the injection before it dissipates within a day or two.
"We’ll see how it goes day-to-day," said manager John Gibbons. "This should help him relieve some of the symptoms, I would think."
Bautista has been throwing for roughly a week, his first tosses since injuring his right shoulder April 21 against Baltimore while trying to throw out Delmon Young at first base after an emotional exchange with a handful of Orioles players.
He missed five games before returning April 27, and has been limited to DH duty since.
The Blue Jays have a road interleague series against the Washington Nationals June 1-3 during which they won’t be able to use the DH.
