MRI negative after neck spasms sideline Bautista

By foxsports
Published

Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista was not in the starting lineup for Tuesday night's game against Tampa Bay because of neck spasms.

Bautista underwent an MRI exam Tuesday that showed no structural issues, but is not expected to play in the three-game series with the Rays.

''Probably a few days away from him getting back and rejoining us,'' Farrell said. ''I think at this point we're projecting sometime on the weekend.''

Bautista left Sunday's game against the New York Yankees in the seventh inning because of stiffness in his neck. The Blue Jays were off on Monday.

''With the way things have gone from the flight down and then through the off-day, it seems that the spasms seemed to intensify even more,'' Farrell said. ''When he woke up this morning, it was even more intense.''

Entering Tuesday, Bautista was hitting .357 with nine homers and 16 RBIs in 25 games. He led the majors with 54 home runs last season.

Also, second baseman Aaron Hill, on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring, is scheduled to play in an extended spring training game on Wednesday. He then is set to join Class-A Dunedin for three games starting Thursday.