Jose Bautista might think he’s ready to return to return to third base, but the Toronto Blue Jays are going to take a cautious approach with their all-star slugger.
After missing the previous three games with a sprained right ankle, the major league home run leader returned to the Blue Jays lineup Tuesday night as the designated hitter.
Prior to the game Jays manager John Farrell said Bautista will return to third "in due time," and possibly as early as Wednesday. "The fact is we wouldn’t put him out there if we felt like he couldn’t go out and contribute, either on the basepaths, or in the (batter’s) box," he said.
Farrell did concede however the Jays will be taking a cautious approach with Bautista on the bases, as best they can. "You can point back to the all-star game and natural instincts are going to take over at some point, but we’ll be conservative as far as any kind of decision-making in terms of a close play."
In addition to leading the majors with 31 home runs, the 29-year-old Bautista is also tops in walks (75), OBP (.470), and OPS (1.171).
HIGH PRAISE FOR ESCOBAR
Shortstop Yunel Escobar has of late hit first, third and fifth in the Blue Jays batting order and his skipper Farrell couldn’t be happier with his production and approach, especially during Bautista’s recent absence.
"He’s doing such a good job of not only getting on base, but being productive," he said. "The one thing that was very encouraging—even though he slid down to the No. 3 hole, he didn’t change his approach. He didn’t look to drive the ball out of the ballpark thinking he was going to take over for Jose or fill that slot."
With a first-inning single Tuesday, the 28-year-old Cuban has reached base safely in a career-high 23 consecutive games and is batting .345 over that span.
When asked if Escobar’s increased 2011 power numbers — he’s on pace for career highs in homers (15) and OPS (.818) — suggest he might best suited to hit somewhere other than leadoff, Farrell didn’t rule out a move down the road.
"Does he profile as a No. 5 hole hitter? Likely," he explained. "He has the ability to drive the baseball. He’s very patient and he has very god strike-zone discipline. On a deep lineup you can see him having a lot of RBI opportunities."
Just don’t expect any permanent moves yet.
"But at the top of the order, he’s the one scoring all the runs because he’s creating all the opportunities for the guys in the middle of the order," said Farrell.
RELIEVED JANSSEN RETURNS
Righthander Casey Jannsen was activated from the disabled list Tuesday after being sidelined since June 17 with a right-forearm strain.
The 29-year-old missed the entire 2008 season with a torn labrum, so he admitted to being concerned when his arm began troubling him again.
"When it’s your money-maker, when it’s your livelihood, it’s always scary," he said. "Once I got the peace of mind that it was good, you can go about your business, but initially in the back of your mind you just hope for the best but you’re assuming the worst. Sometimes that’s a big hurdle to get over."
Prior to the injury, Janssen had been one of the most reliable members of the Blue Jays bullpen in 2011, posting a 2.93 ERA in 28 appearances.
To make room on the 25-man roster, the Jays optioned Dominican lefthander Luis Perez back to triple-A Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League.
"Luis Perez did an excellent job for us," said Farrell, who added the 26-year-old could return soon should an opening develop. "But Casey has almost a reverse split when you look at his stats. He gives us a pseudo second lefthander."
SNIDER TAKES CENTRE STAGE
Travis Snider got his first start in centrefield for the Blue Jays on Tuesday, but it likely won’t be his last as the club tries to determine over the next few weeks whether the 23-year-old is a possible long-term solution there.
Both Cory Patterson and Rajai Davis have had their problems defensively in centre this year, so Farrell said he’s keen to see how Snider stacks up.
"We’re looking to get a read on his routes—which even in left are very good," Farrell said. "We’ll get a read on whether that’s something we can factor in more long-term going forward as Alex (Anthopoulos) continues to find ways to upgrade the roster."
