Jose Bautista Injury: Updates On Blue Jays Star's Wrist Injury

UPDATE: Tuesday, August 28 at 5:20 p.m. ET by Tim Keeney

It appears as though Jose Bautista's season is over (via MLB's official Twitter account):

"

BREAKING: @joeybats19 will undergo surgery on his left wrist, ending his season.

— MLB (@MLB) August 28, 2012"

This isn't surprising, as the Toronto Blue Jays are all out but out of the playoff picture.

Getting Joey Bats' surgery done early should mean he'll have plenty of time to get ready for next year's spring training. 

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UPDATE: Saturday, August 25 at 10:13 p.m. ET by Jesse Reed

Jose Bautista is officially back on the DL. 

According to Brenden Kennedy of the Toronto Star:

"

Bautista and Cooper added to 15-day DL, Lind and Hechavarria recalled. #BlueJays

— Brendan Kennedy (@BKennedyStar) August 26, 2012"

The bad news just gets worse for the Blue Jays, who have struggled mightily to win games without their slugger. 

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UPDATE: Saturday, August 25 at 8:24 p.m. ET by Jesse Reed

Jose Bautista can't catch a break.  

According to MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli:

"

Bautista removed from game with left wrist discomfort. That's not good for Toronto. Just came off DL Friday with left wrist injury.

— Brittany Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli) August 26, 2012"

We'll keep you updated as more information comes in, but this situation doesn't look good for Bautista or the Blue Jays. 

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UPDATE: Friday, August 24, 5:55 p.m. ET by Eric Ball

He’s baaaaack.

Aaron Gleeman of Hardballtalk.com is reporting that Jose Bautista has been activated from the disabled list and will be back in the starting lineup batting third tonight against the Baltimore Orioles.

After launching two home runs in a minor-league rehab stint last night, the decision was easy. The wrist has heeled after sitting out for five weeks and now Bautista is back at a time when his team desperately needs him.

Toronto has gone a horrific 11-23 since his injury, and now find themselves 16 games back in the American League East, and 11 games back of the second spot in the Wild Card hunt.

While the playoffs are a pipedream at this point, the Blue Jays are a spoiler candidate once again with their star back in the lineup.  

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UPDATE: Tuesday, July 17, 12:30 p.m. ET by Donald Wood

While there has been little doubt that Toronto Blue Jays star outfielder Jose Bautista was on pace to have his best season in 2012, the organization has been handed terrible news.

The Blue Jays have placed the slugger on the 15-day disabled list with a wrist injury suffered Monday after fouling a ball off against the New York Yankees.

Major League Baseball’s official Twitter page is reporting the move:

"

BREAKING: @BlueJays place @JoeyBats19 on 15-day DL with left wrist inflammation.

— MLB (@MLB) July 17, 2012"

Joey Bats had 27 home runs and 65 RBI already in 2012, and there was no telling how good the second half of the year would have been for the hitting machine. While this injury is a big blow to Joe Bats and the Blue Jays, as long as the team is patient with Bautista, he will come back fine.

As for all the records and personal bests he was aiming for, they will have to wait until next year, though.

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UPDATE: Tuesday, July 17 at 12:10 a.m. ET by Ian Hanford

The Toronto Blue Jays have provided the Blue Jays faithful with an update on their beloved slugger via Twitter:

"

Bautista Update: no break, tendon injury, will have an MRI tomorrow to determine extent of injury

— Blue Jays-Official(@BlueJays) July 17, 2012"

This news doesn't provide clarity regarding the injury, but at least it rules out a broken bone. That would have sidelined Bautista for an extended length of time. 

Toronto is hoping the MRI brings good news. They can't afford to lose the American League's second-leading home-run hitter for any stretch.

Check back for more updates on Joey Bats' status.

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Jose Bautista's name usually evokes happy emotions from Blue Jays fans, but a wrist injury in Monday night's game has the Toronto faithful running willy-nilly.

The injury was reported by National Post reporter John Lott Monday evening.

"

Bautista hits long foul ball, comes out of swing gripping left wrist, leaves game after visit from trainer.

— John Lott (@LottOnBaseball) July 17, 2012"

It's too early to speculate the extent of Bautista's injury and subsequent recovery time, or whether he will miss any time at all, but the slightest grimace from the Blue Jays slugger is enough to make their front office cower in fear.

Toronto has the third-highest run total in baseball this season, and it is fifth in slugging percentage. That's due in large part to Bautista's 27 home runs and 65 RBI, and his .534 slugging percentage is second on the team behind Edwin Encarnacion. 

There's no mistaking the magnitude of his potential absence.

Not only is Bautista Toronto's best overall hitter, but he's their most popular player. "Joey Bats" has emerged as one of baseball's preeminent power hitters since his breakout 2010 season in which he hit 54 bombs.

Bautista's presence gives Toronto visibility in the national media, and his bat gives them a fighting chance to win the AL East.

Like I said, we don't have any idea if Bautista is going to miss any time at all, but it's certainly a frightening prospect for Alex Anthopoulos and the rest of the Blue Jays front office.

If Bautista does require time on the disabled list, Toronto manager John Farrell will likely go with 30-year-old veteran Ben Francisco in right field. The former Philadelphia Phillie (and Cleveland Indian) is hitting .250 in 48 at-bats this season. He doesn't have a home run, and has just two RBI.

That's a far cry from Bautista's production, but Toronto fans can't panic until we know all of the details.

Stay tuned for more information.