Toronto Blue Jays

The size of the chip on Jose

Bautista’s shoulder could determine much of Toronto’s fate this season.

Bautista was limited to 116 games last year because of injuries after playing 155 in 2014 and 153 in 2015. His 22 home runs were his fewest since 2009, when he hit 13 in 113 games, and were well off his majors-leading totals of 54 in 2010 and 43 in 2011. He hit 35 in 2014 and 40 in 2015.

Entering his 14th major league season, Bautista, 36, returned to the Blue Jays on a one-year, $18.5 million contract with options for 2018 and 2019 after finding that his options were limited in the free agent market.

“He always plays with a chip on his shoulder,” shortstop Troy

Tulowitzki told the Toronto Star, “but maybe a little extra chip (now) to prove to some teams out there that maybe he was worth a little bit more than what he got.” uCloser Roberto Osuna went on the disabled list before opening day because of neck spasms, but general manager

Ross Atkins told The Globe and Mail it’s not serious. Osuna had been dealing with the injury since returning from the World Baseball Classic. Jason Grilli could serve as the closer during Osuna’s absence.