The Toronto Blue Jays have placed right-fielder Jose Bautista on the 15-day disabled list with a knee sprain.
Bautista injured his knee on a seemingly harmless stumble in the outfield on Tuesday night. Junior Lake has been recalled in his place.
Ross Atkins says Jose Bautista has knee sprain, headed to DL, Junior Lake up. #BlueJays
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) August 10, 2016
Ross Atkins says #BlueJays hopeful Jose Bautista won't be much longer than two weeks. Darrell Ceciliani to get bulk of ABs vs RHP in absence
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) August 10, 2016
With Kevin Pillar also on the 15-day disabled list with a thumb injury, the Blue Jays will be rolling out out a starting trio of Michael Saunders, Melvin Upton Jr., and Ceciliani.
Bautista said he was told his left knee sprain is Grade-1, and he's hopeful he'll be back after the requisite 15 days.
— Brendan Kennedy (@BKennedyStar) August 10, 2016
Manager John Gibbons also told reporters that Dalton Pompey remains an option but that the club prefers to see what the have in Ceciliani first. Ceciliani has a .268 average in triple-A this season with nine home runs, but was a star in spring training.
If Bautista is able to return in the minimum two weeks, his questionable defensive value could finally force him into a designated hitter on a more full-time basis if the Blue Jays can find production from another outfielder. With his range limited and his throwing arm no longer a threat, Bautista’s second DL stint of the season further dulls his free agent year.