ST. LOUIS (AP) — Blue Jays manager John Farrell says one of the biggest reasons he’s moving Jose Bautista to third base is top prospect Brett Lawrie probably won’t be ready until August.
The former first-round pick, acquired in a trade for Sean Marcum, is rehabbing from a broken left hand sustained when he was hit by a pitch May 31 with Triple-A Las Vegas. The Blue Jays had been on the verge of recalling Lawrie before the injury.
Lawrie’s rehab is taking longer than expected because he’s having trouble gripping the bat.
Bautista is getting extra work at third base and Farrell said the slugger, who led the majors with 22 homers entering Friday night’s interleague game against the Cardinals, could make the move as soon as Sunday to give the lineup more offensive potential.
Blue Jays third basemen are batting .177 with five home runs and 26 RBIs.
