Healthy Pillar won’t change his ways
Hard-nosed Jays outfielder says he plays the game one way — all out
TORONTO It was one man back and one man down as the Toronto Blue Jays returned to action Tuesday against the Los Angeles Angels.
Returning from a sprained thumb and a short two-game rehab stint with Class-A Dunedin was outfielder Kevin Pillar.
Out for at least a night was second baseman Devon Travis, who jammed his throwing hand and wound up straining a ligament just behind his ring finger.
He had a cortisone shot on the off day Monday and with it still a little sore, the decision was made to sit him out.
“Hopefully, it’s just a one-day thing so he’s out tonight,” manager John Gibbons said.
Pillar went 6-for-7 in his two games of action with Dunedin, but was not putting too much stock in those numbers.
“Numbers can be deceiving,” Pillar cautioned. “It beats the alternative, going 0-for-7.”
Pillar said he would try to be choosy about making any headfirst slides, which is how he injured the thumb in the first place, but admitted he only plays the game one way and that’s all out. If his instincts tell him to slide headfirst, chances are he’ll be sliding headfirst.
ANOTHER RETURN ON DECK
Jays manager John Gibbons said it’s a pretty safe bet to expect Jose Bautista back in Toronto on Thursday to rejoin the lineup. Bautista injured his left knee making a throw from the outfield on Aug 9. Like Pillar, he has been in Dunedin. But unlike Pillar, Bautista has been and will likely to continue to get his work in during simulated games as opposed to joining the Class-A team for his at-bats.
“We want him to drive it based on how he feels and how many atbats he would like,” GM Ross Atkins said. “As of now, it will most likely come in a simulated game just because of our confidence in him and his ability to return to this pace better than most.”
LEGAL ISSUE
A New York woman is suing Edwin Encarnacion, alleging the Toronto Blue Jays slugger knowingly infected her with two sexually transmitted diseases. Ashley Lebron, 24, filed the lawsuit in a New York court on Monday. She’s seeking US$11.5 million in damages. Encarnacion’s agent, Paul Kinzer, called the claim “completely inappropriate and meritless.”