It looked like any other foul ball: in the 8th inning the Jays outfielder smacked a a fastball high into Yankees Stadium, narrowly missing a home run. But Bautista fell to the ground and clutched his left wrist. It seemed like a serious injury, enough to warrant Bautista’s quick departure into the locker room.
X-rays came back negative, but he is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Tuesday morning to examine ligaments in the same area. He is listed as day-to-day.
Bautista, tied for second in the MLB’s home run race, did not reappear during the game. He has 27 dingers on the season and he’s knocked in 65 RBIs.
Ben Francisco replaced Bautista, who plays in right field.
There is no word yet on the extent of Bautista’s injury. This article will be updated as information becomes available.
The Jays lost to the Yankees 6-3.
Buck Martinez, the Sportsnet announcer for Jays games, guessed Bautista may have first hurt his wrist when he slid into home several innings earlier. The former manager thinks Bautista aggravated his wrist injury when he sliced on the foul ball, the wrist facing the brunt of the torque.
Bautista’s injury is the latest in a DL-plagued season for Toronto. Key pitchers such as Brandon Morrow have been inactive for weeks and Toronto recently learned two closers will be shut down for the year due to surgeries. In total, the team has added seven pitchers to the long-term disabled list.
The Jays lose in the first of a three-game series against the Yankees. Jays manager John Farrell said, “We’ve got such a turnover in our roster and a few guys who are walking into (Yankee Stadium) for the first time. That’s not to fear the challenge but to embrace it.”
