Blue Jays assured Bautista is OK after slugger sits out big WBC game

— With all the positive medical news the Toronto Blue Jays have had over the past week, the news out of California on Saturday night initially came as a blow.

Jose Bautista, the team’s rightfielder who looked so good early in training camp, was scratched from a pivotal World Baseball Classic match between the Dominican and the U.S. due to back issues. While Bautista was on the bench for the game, Dominican manager Tony Pena said post-game that he “wasn’t available.”

On Sunday, however, the Jays received word that the “tightness” in Bautista’s back was a minor concern. The team’s head athletic trainer, George Poulis, was told the issue wasn’t serious.

The Dominicans clearly could have used Bautista’s bat, as the defending champs were eliminated in a 6-3 loss to Team U.S.A. With his WBC duties complete, Bautista is expected back in Jays camp on Monday.

Meanwhile, the team re-assigned first base prospect Rowdy Tellez and catcher Alex Monsalve to the minor league camp. Tellez was eight for 30 at the plate and solid defensively throughout spring training.