Should Blue Jays be concerned with Bautista's turf toe?
When Jose Bautista limped off the field two Thursdays ago in Philadelphia, his reaction looked somewhat more concerning than one might expect for a player who was initially diagnosed with a hyperextended big toe.
The Toronto Blue Jays must have agreed, as the club sent their All-Star slugger to visit a foot-ankle specialist in Charlotte - not exactly the news fans were hoping for as their club navigates through an inconsistent first half and tries to ready itself for another playoff push. Further tests revealed turf toe, and the team announced Bautista - who for the time being is restricted to a walking boot - would likely remain sidelined beyond July 2, his eligible return date from the disabled list.
With so much at stake - namely, Toronto's place in the AL East standings - we called on theScore MLB insider and former three-time All-Star Vernon Wells to shed more insight into turf toe injuries, and how, if at all, this might affect Bautista and the Blue Jays moving forward.
How serious are turf toe injuries?
VW: It's one of those injuries where you have to take the time to let it calm down. The Blue Jays are being cautious when it comes to trying to get him back on the field. They know how valuable he is to this team, but the issue with significant big toe injuries is it limits what you're capable of doing, and so for a player like Bautista, you want to protect the things he does well and limit the areas he might struggle with, particularly when injured. So, for him and that organization, it's far more important to take the time - even if it's not until after the All-Star break - to allow that injury to calm down.
Hitting with turf toe
VW: As a right-handed hitter, this injury obviously affects Bautista's landing foot. Because of that, it basically compromises his entire approach in the box. If you try to change how your front foot lands, you're ultimately changing your entire swing. You're changing your entire process from when your foot hits the ground. So, when you have a leg kick like Bautista, as a hitter you're already at a point where your timing has to be perfect, so a turf toe injury will make that even more difficult.
Fielding effect
VW: Throwing presents the same issues as hitting - it's his front landing foot. Being able to break in different directions, especially going left and that being your lead foot exploding, all that is compromised with an injury of this nature. You don't really pay too much attention to a big toe injury or a calf injury until it happens, and then you realize how big an effect those smaller body parts can have on your performance.
Should Blue Jays target an OF as insurance?
VW: Regardless of Bautista being injured or not, I don't think the Blue Jays should be as concerned for an outfield spot anyways. At this point, it's probably best to just weather the storm and hope he doesn't miss too much time here heading into the stretch. They should be more focused on arms, because with the way this season has played out so far, pitching is going to be the Blue Jays' biggest need. They're going to score runs - that's who they are, but when it comes down to the playoffs or when it's time to make a push, you need to keep runs off the board. Barring a serious setback with Bautista, that's where the Blue Jays' focus should remain.