Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista could be headed to the disabled list with a sore shoulder after making an admitted ill-advised throw during Tuesday's game against the Baltimore Orioles.
"If he doesn't show much progress the next couple of days, it is always a possibility," Jays manager John Gibbons said. "As of [Wednesday], it's just a sore shoulder. ... Today he couldn't throw a baseball."
Bautista did not play Wednesday or Thursday but said he was feeling much better Thursday, and a DL stint seemed less likely. Gibbons said Bautista likely will DH for a couple of days upon his return to the lineup.
Bautista stressed his right shoulder muscles trying to throw out a runner at first base in the eighth inning of the Jays' 13-6 victory over the Orioles on Tuesday. Gibbons said Wednesday the pain was too much for him to even appear as a pinch hitter.
"I probably shouldn't have made that throw," Bautista said Wednesday. "I hate to say it, and I think it's weird when hockey does it, but I'm day to day. I have to see how [Thursday] feels. I can't jump ahead and say I'll be ready to hit in two days. My shoulder is sore right now, and that's all I can say."
Bautista, who is hitting .149 this season, is tied for the team lead with four home runs and is third with 10 RBIs.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.