Music: {allcanada} Bautista has two MRI exams, Lawrie in limbo

Monday, August 27, 2012

{allcanada} Bautista has two MRI exams, Lawrie in limbo

NEW YORK - The Toronto Blue Jays were awaiting results from Jose Bautista's visit to a hand specialist Monday, when two MRI exams were conducted to compare his troublesome left wrist with his healthy right one.

Manager John Farrell told reporters there was "no conclusive report at this time" from the star slugger's visit to Dr. Thomas Graham in Cleveland, although he was expected to rejoin the team in New York in time for Tuesday's pre-game workout.

Bautista was initially injured swinging at a pitch on July 16 at Yankee Stadium and after returning to action Friday in Baltimore, re-aggravated the injury during his only plate appearance Saturday. He came out of that game afterwards, was returned to the disabled list, and is now in limbo again.

"Given that this is a reoccurring injury," said Farrell, "and the amount of time missed the first time he did injure it, we felt to be on the cautious side and to protect anything, we had to make a move (to put him on the DL)."

The Blue Jays had hoped Bautista's return would provide some clarity into the status of his wrist for the remainder of the year. The earliest he can be activated from the disabled list is Sept. 10, although with that being an off-day, the first game he can play is Sept. 11.

"We felt that when Jose initially came back to us, not only would we get production," explained Farrell, "but at the same time, and what was probably most important, was that going into the off-season he would have had a good number of at-bats under his belt since coming back from the injury, he would have gone into the off-season with peace of mind and we would have a better feel and understanding with where he stood from a health standpoint."

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LAWRIE LINGERS: The pace of recovery from a right oblique injury remains slow for third baseman Brett Lawrie, who continues to work his way through "strengthening, range of motion (exercises), but no full batting practice as of yet to get back closer to potential game activity."

Lawrie seemed to be on the verge of rejoining the Blue Jays last week before suffering a setback, effectively ending his rehab assignment.Much like Bautista, the Blue Jays are hoping to have him play some game before season's end to remove any shred of doubt.

"We have to take extra precaution for fear of doing that again," said Farrell. "Every movement on the baseball field whether it's defensively or offensively, that core area is going to come into play. It can be a slippery slope if you go a little bit too fast and then you set him back even further."

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FRASOR MOVES CLOSER: Jason Frasor continues to inch his way back from a bout of forearm tightness, throwing some batting practice Monday with the aim of pitching in a rehab game later this week.

The right-hander has been out since July 17.