Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson is congratulated by his teammates at home plate after hitting a three-run home run in the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rogers Centre.John E. Sokolowski
Ostensibly, it was just a simple game of catch that lasted maybe five minutes.
Realistically, it was a moment that may have long-term ramifications for the remainder of the Toronto Blue Jays season.
Two days after a cortisone injection into a tender right shoulder that has prevented him from playing the outfield for over a month, Jose Bautista picked up a baseball and started throwing on Tuesday.
It was only during pregame warm-ups, about 2 1/2-hours before the start of the Blue Jays game against the Chicago White Sox, but the result was a significant turn of events for the player.
Bautista said that he felt pain-free for the first time since he originally injured himself on April 21.
If the trend continues, Bautista said he sees no reason why he won't soon be able to shed the designated-hitting shackles that have imprisoned him since the injury in exchange for his old outfielder's glove.
The news was obviously uplifting for Bautista, who was sidelined for the past two games after the cortisone treatment, but was back as Toronto's designated hitter on Tuesday at Rogers Centre.
He responded by going three-for-four with three doubles, driving in five runs in an absolutely wild roller-coaster ride of a game against the White Sox.
The Blue Jays, who held the lead four times in the contest, trailed by two heading into the bottom of the ninth, in which they scored three times to conclude an improbable 10-9 victory over the White Sox.
Josh Donaldson, who homered earlier in the game, provided the heroics, swatting a three-run shot to right field off Chicago closer David Robertson for a walk-off triumph.
The Blue Jays will start a three-game interleague series on Monday in Washington against the Nationals where National League rules will be in effect – meaning no DH.
Bautista said if all continues to go well, he sees no reason why he won't be able to start in the outfield for the beginning of that series.
That would be a huge benefit to the Blue Jays, who have DHs galore but little in the way of a quality right fielder who can bring the defensive jam that Bautista can, especially with his cannon arm.
"Better, it felt better," Bautista said after what was essentially a soft-toss exercise with fellow outfielder Ezequiel Carrera, about 25 throws at a distance of up to 90 feet.
It did not look that pretty, with Bautista displaying a definite hitch toward the end of his throwing motion, but at least it was not underhanded.
Bautista said he has been pain-free the past two nights after the cortisone shot and was finally able to enjoy some restful sleep.
"That's what I've been looking for, part of it," he said.
"Now it's getting back on the field as soon as possible."
If Bautista can return to the outfield and regain the consistent power stroke that he has flashed on and off over the start of the 2015 season, it would be a huge pick-me-up for the meandering American League club.
Despite erratic play that had dropped them into the basement of the AL East heading into Tuesday's play, the Blue Jays were still only 3.5-games back of first place.
And that is with a roster that has been missing several key pieces that are finally beginning to fall back into place.
On Monday it was starting shortstop and leadoff hitter Jose Reyes returning to the fold after a lengthy absence recovering from a fractured rib.
Now it is Dioner Navarro who is close behind.
A useful bat from a year ago when he was Toronto's everyday catcher, Navarro had played in just eight games this season as Russell Martin's backup before injuring his left hamstring.
Navarro started a rehab assignment in Triple-A Tuesday night.
He wasa batting leadoff and catching for the Buffalo Bisons.
On Wednesday, the plan will be to have Navarro handle the DH duties.
Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey got the start for Toronto and he was erratic, allowing five Chicago runs off eight hits through five innings, including a three-run home run by Jose Abreu.
Abreu would drive in four of the Chicago runs.
But Dickey still turned the game over to his bullpen with the Blue Jays holding a 6-5 lead that was quickly coughed up by Ryan Tepera.
Tepera came into the game in the sixth where he allowed a run off a hit and a hit batsman in the two batters he faced that resulted in Chicago scoring the tying run when Melky Cabrera hit into a fielder's choice.