KANSAS CITY – Jose Bautista confirmed on Sunday morning that his ailing right shoulder is the reason he won't make a sixth-straight All-Star appearance.
"Having made a few throws in Chicago and kind of getting sore again and listening to doctor's recommendations there are some therapy and rehab that needs to be done that normally you would need a few days off during the regular season," said Bautista. "Taking advantage of this due to the break is the smart thing to do for my health, for the end of the season and finishing off strong so that's what I'm doing. I'm listening to the doctor."
Bautista refused to be specific about the nature of the therapy, saying only there would be "medical treatments."
His mention of treatment which would require "a few days off during the regular season" led to the conclusion he would be receiving a second cortisone shot. He took his first to the shoulder in late May.
"I won't say yes or no to cortisone," said Bautista.
He makes his home in Tampa, a stone's throw from the club's facilities in Dunedin. Maybe that's where he's headed for four days of treatment?
"Where I'm going to be at, which is yet to be determined," he said.
Bautista injured his shoulder in a win over Baltimore on April 21. Having been thrown behind, only to respond by hitting a home run on the next pitch a half inning earlier, he attempted to throw out the Orioles' Delmon Young at first base on a single to right field.
The result was a strain significant enough to limit Bautista to designated hitter duties through May. He didn't return to the outfield until the Jays played in their first National League series starting on June 2 in Washington.
Voted to the All-Star Game by fellow players, Bautista will forego the trip to Cincinnati and will miss the festivities for the first time since he became a breakout star in 2010.
"I already had people book flights and everything so this is definitely not what I wanted to do," said Bautista. "You've got to think about your health first; your team also. You've got to put it on the first plane making the decision and I think if it's better for me as a person it's better for the team as well."
Bautista was hitting .238/.382/.491 heading into Sunday's series finale in Kansas City. His on-base percentage is bolstered by the 66 walks he's taken, more than any other player in the game this season.
He remains on pace to hit more than 30 home runs, drive in more than 100 and score more than 100.
He'll be replaced on the American League team by Minnesota Twins' second baseman Brian Dozier.
"When we play everyday and you don't have time to take a break you don't want to deal with anything worse than a normal soreness after a game," said Bautista. "Knowing the injury was there a few months it's a smart thing to do to listen to the doctors."
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