TORONTO (AP) — Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista was held out of the starting lineup for Sunday’s game against the Boston Red Sox, the third straight game he’s missed with a sore right ankle.
The two-time major league home run leader twisted his ankle stepping on first base while beating out a double play in the eighth inning of Thursday’s win over Cleveland. He stayed in the game to run the bases but was replaced in right field by Rajai Davis in the ninth.
Bautista has two home runs and four RBIs in three games. He ran on the field and took batting practice Sunday but said he was still not pain-free. Manager John Gibbons said Bautista would be available to pinch hit if necessary.
Davis made his third straight start in Bautista’s place against the Red Sox.
