Blue Jays right-fielder Jose Bautista is out of Wednesday night’s game between Toronto and Baltimore with a strained right shoulder, and won’t be able to play the outfield for the next few days.
Bautista who’d been sore for about a week, aggravated the injury making a throw to first base in Tuesday’s 13-6 win over Baltimore.
Bautista later got into an argument with Orioles outfielder Adam Jones. Jones felt Bautista showboated after hitting a home run in the eighth, while the Blue Jays All-Star was angry that Baltimore rookie reliever Jason Garcia had thrown behind him before the homer.
Toronto manager John Gibbons said the move was strictly for Bautista’s health and not to avoid any retribution.
Even before the injury, Gibbons said he’d considered sitting Bautista against Baltimore starter Ubaldo Jimenez, because Bautista is 2 for 29 against the Orioles right-hander.
Gibbons also said Bautista could end up on the disabled list if his shoulder doesn’t improve in the next few days.
Kevin Pillar replaced Bautista in right, with infielder Ryan Goins making his first appearance of the season in left.
Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis, who left Sunday’s game with bruised ribs after being hit by a pitch, returned to the lineup Wednesday after sitting out Tuesday. Toronto was off Monday.