Toronto Blue Jays Jose Bautista slams a two-run home run off Cesar Ramos during seventh inning American League baseball action against the Los Angeles Angels in Toronto, Monday, May 18, 2015.The Canadian Press
Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista returned to the lineup as the designated hitter for Tuesday night's game against the visiting Chicago White Sox.
Bautista, who has not played in right field since injuring his throwing shoulder in a game April 21, missed the last two games after getting a cortisone shot.
He's batting .215 with seven homers and 25 RBIs this season. There is no firm date for his return to the field.
Bautista is able to swing the bat but he is still unable to throw with his usual power due to inflammation and an impingement in his right shoulder joint. He has tried light throwing programs but has said that progress has been slower than expected.
Entering play Tuesday, the Blue Jays (21-26) were last in the American League East division but were only 3 1/2 games behind the first-place Tampa Bay Rays.
The Blue Jays also announced that catcher Dioner Navarro (hamstring strain) will join the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons on Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment.