Bautista won't play again until 2013. (Getty Images) |
Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista won't be seeing action again until the 2013 season. The Blue Jays announced Tuesday that Bautista will be forced to undergo season-ending surgery on his injured left wrist.
The good news for the Blue Jays is that Bautista should be fully healed by the time next season rolls around, as his timetable for recovery has been set at 3-4 months. Even if he heals slowly, spring training doesn't begin for about 5 1/2 months.
Bautista, 31, was having another big season for the Jays before the wrist injury derailed him July 16 against the Yankees. He made it back for five plate appearances this past week before re-injuring the wrist.
Bautista ends with a line of .241/.358/.527. He hit 27 homers in just 92 games, with 65 RBI and 64 runs. He made his third consecutive All-Star Game and has easily established himself as one of baseball's elite sluggers.
As for the Blue Jays, they'll have plenty of chances in September to give youngsters Moises Sierra and Anthony Gose playing time in the outfield.
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