ose Bautista ends the season on the b

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DUNEDIN, Florida – If Jose Bautista ends the season on the baseball field, itll mark the first time since 2011 but the Blue Jays slugger bristles at the suggestion he isnt a durable ballplayer. "Its not because I was neglecting my training regime or anything like that," Bautista said of his injuries. "It is disappointing and it is upsetting that I dont get to go out there and finish the season with the team and finish strong. Thats been the case in the last two years so hopefully it doesnt happen again." Bautista tore the tendon sheath in his wrist while taking a swing in a game at Yankee Stadium on July 16, 2012. The injury essentially cost him the remainder of the season, save for five plate appearances over two games in late August. Last year, Bautista jammed his hip while running the bases in July. He played with pain for about a month and then removed himself from a game at Yankee Stadium on August 20. He wouldnt set foot on the field for the rest of the year. Bautista continues to hit home runs at a prodigious pace. He went deep on 6.2 per cent of his at-bats in 2013, a trend that has steadily declined since his career-high 54 home run breakout season in 2010 (8.4 per cent in 2011, 8.1 per cent in 2012) when he rounded the bases in 9.5 per cent of his at-bats. Considering he was recovering from serious wrist surgery, a body part that when injured can sap sluggers of their power, his numbers remain impressive. The 33-year-old describes as "great" his just-getting-to-know-you relationship with new hitting coach Kevin Seitzer. The two have spoken briefly in Dunedin and had a couple of phone conversations during the offseason. Broadly put, Seitzers modus operandi is to encourage his hitters to use the entire field. Bautista is among a number of Jays, Edwin Encarnacion and Colby Rasmus included, who are almost dead pull hitters. "You just watch the way they throw the shift on him," said manager John Gibbons. "They leave some big holes (on the right side) for him. There are some cheap RBIs that way. I mean, the way I look at it, you get 500 at-bats in a season and say you hit 50 home runs, which is an unbelievable year. Thats still a lot of at-bats without home runs. If youre more of a complete hitter and youll take some hits (to the right side) to get a rally going or drive in a big run or something, that can only help." Leadership and its role on a baseball team continue to be topics of debate among those who follow the game closely. The consensus amongst players is that winning breeds camaraderie, something directly reflected in the success of last years world champion Boston Red Sox. The Jays buried themselves with a 10-17 April last season, injuries mounted and not even an 11-game winning streak in June could salvage the year. As a result, the clubhouse, while it didnt have any crippling divisions, wasnt a tight-knit unit. Players on winning teams, with something to play for, may be more willing to push a single through the opposite side to score a run instead of being concerned primarily with their own stats. "I think if everybody does as well as theyre capable of doing, with some leadership – and hopefully I get to help out in that area – I think we can be a much better team than we were last year and a closer team than we showed last year that we were," said Bautista. The slugger doesnt share fans angst over Torontos relatively quiet offseason. "Not at all," said Bautista. "I think we have a good group of guys. Were very competitive. Were really talented and I think if we remain healthy and everybody plays up to their capabilities, nobody needs to go do anything outstanding or hit 60 home runs or have a sub-1.00 ERA, we just need to play up to our capabilities." Pitching Depth The Blue Jays announced on Friday theyve claimed RHP Liam Hendriks off waivers from Baltimore. To make room for Hendriks on the 40-man roster, the team designated infielder Brent Morel for assignment. Hendriks, 25, was born and raised in Perth, Australia. Hes struggled in limited big league action over three seasons, all with Minnesota, compiling a record of 2-13, an ERA of 6.06 and a WHIP of 1.590. Morel is a former third round pick of the White Sox, selected off waivers from Chicago on December 23. A right-handed bat, there was thought that Morel would compete for a job off the bench. Understanding the Business Reliever Neil Wagner, 30, is caught in the middle of a numbers game and he knows it. "Taken in the 21st round in the middle of nowhere, youre forced to prove yourself and thats how Ive done it my whole career," said Wagner. "I plan on doing that in camp as well." The Blue Jays will consider going with an eight-man bullpen out of camp but that still wont guarantee Wagner a big league job. Casey Janssen, Sergio Santos, Brett Cecil, Aaron Loup and Steve Delabar are guaranteed spots. Dustin McGowan will be stretched out this spring but it seems more likely he will be a reliever. Wagner has an option remaining, whereas Jeremy Jeffress, Esmil Rogers and Todd Redmond do not, which doesnt bode well for his chances to make the team. "They havent told me anything," said Wagner. "Im expecting that Ill be here until Im not. I plan on going out and pitching well and pitching my way onto the team and if things dont work out that way, then Ill go down to Buffalo and do the same thing." Wagner has a live arm, his fastball routinely clocking in the mid to high 90s and can touch 100 miles per hour. He allowed only one run, earned, in his first 12 appearances with the Blue Jays last season. He ended the season with a 3.79 ERA over 36 appearances, striking out 7.8 batters over nine innings while walking 3.1 hitters per nine innings. He had a 1.368 WHIP over what, to this point, was his longest stint in the majors. "I feel like I proved that I can pitch at the big league level but in this game, nothing is given to you, nothings owed to you, so anything could happen at any time and Im perfectly okay with that." Nickeas Cant Lose Catcher Mike Nickeas kept an eye on the Canada-USA semi-final hockey game in Sochi. "Im a winner today, either way," he joked in passing. Nickeas was born in Vancouver in 1983, while his father, whos English, was playing for the Vancouver Whitecaps of the now-defunct North American Soccer League. His mother is American and Nickeas grew up in California, which explains his allegiances to both sides. Guess is hell be cheering for Canada in Sundays gold medal game against Sweden. Gibbons Talks Haircuts Manager John Gibbons, himself sporting a new, shorter haircut this spring, didnt appreciate my efforts to update my do. "It looks like a ducks ass," Gibbons joked before starting his daily scrum with the media. Well, I cant change the haircut now. My pride wont allow it. Nike Shoes Cheap Sale . PETERSBURG, Florida – Heading into Thursday nights action, Dioner Navarro had caught 14 innings combined from starters Drew Hutchison and Mark Buehrle. Cheap Nike Shoes Wholesale . Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist stood tall with 41 saves between the pipes, but it was defenceman Ryan McDonagh who got the first star of the game as he had a goal and an assist and now has two goals and four assists for six points in two games. http://www.cheapnikeshoesonline.us/. Mohamed Diame put West Ham ahead in the 47th minute before goals by substitutes Carlton Cole and Joe Cole condemned Fulham to a fifth straight defeat, keeping the visitors in the bottom three. Cheap Nike Shoes Outlet . -- D.A. Points was disqualified Friday from the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am for using a training device while waiting to play the 18th hole at Pebble Beach. Cheap Nike Shoes China Free Shipping . Colton Sissons also scored for Milwaukee (19-12-8), which went ahead with a two-goal third period. Wade MacLeod and Greg McKegg replied for Toronto (23-12-4).SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Colin Kaepernick was at his worst on the prime-time Thanksgiving stage, and Richard Sherman quickly became the Niners biggest nemesis again.He literally dared the quarterback to throw his way — I told their sideline if they threw it my way Id end the game, Sherman said.Kaepernick did just that as San Francisco fell flat on offence, its owner publicly apologized for a game that wasnt acceptable, and the teams playoff hopes took a huge hit Thursday with a 19-3 loss to Sherman and the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks.We only had three points. We have to start early and we have to play, wide receiver Michael Crabtree said. Thats all we have to talk about.Sherman set up the only touchdown with another key defensive play in this heated rivalry, then made a second interception with the 49ers driving late, as the Seahawks ended a five-game losing streak on San Franciscos home field.In the waning moments with thousands of red seats already empty, 49ers CEO Jed York posted on Twitter: Thank you (hashtag)49ersfaithful for coming out strong tonight. This performance wasnt acceptable. I apologize for that.Kaepernick, whose team has reached three straight NFC title games, couldnt argue.Its not acceptable, he said. We didnt perform well. We have a much higher standard for ourselves. ... We have to win out in order to have a shot to get into the playoffs.The 49ers were held to three points or fewer for the first time since a 29-3 Week 2 loss at Seattle last year. And they still must face the Seahawks in 17 days at CenturyLink Field, where Shermans touchdown-saving deflection of a pass headed to Crabtree 10 months earlier sealed the NFC championship game in the final minute.This looked awfully familiar. The target on both Sherman interceptions was Crabtree.The second one was pretty entertaining. I was laughing the whole time, Sherman said. They threw it. I said, Way to be, way to be.The brash cornerback offered plenty without opening his mouth, too: Blowing kisses to the crowd, then putting a finger to his lips to make the hush sign before waving goodbye.Steven Hauschka kicked four field goals and the Seahawks stout defence helped Seattle (8-4) overcome 14 penalties for 105 yards, including an offensive pass interference that negated a touchdown.Russell Wilson passed for 236 yards and thoroughly outplayed Kaepernick, who had one of his worst performances for the 49ers (7-5) in a game with high stakes for both NFC poowers just trying to get to the playoffs.ddddddddddddaepernick had the second-lowest passer rating of his career at 36.7, with his only lower rating a 20.1 in a 29-3 Week 2 loss at Seattle last year. Kaepernick was 16 for 29 for 121 yards and the 49ers were outgained 379-164.After his second pick, Sherman looked at those fans still remaining in half-empty stadium on a Thanksgiving night and waved. Sherman and Crabtree were at the centre of the decisive play in Januarys NFC title game, when Sherman deflected a pass headed his way in the end zone and Malcolm Smith intercepted it with less than a minute remaining to seal the Seahawks 23-17 victory. Sherman later called Crabtree mediocre.San Franciscos offence might have earned that distinction after its latest dud snapped the Niners three-game winning streak.Things just arent happening for us out there. I dont know what it is, wideout Anquan Boldin said.Even general manager Trent Baalkes daughter, Cassie, apparently got into the Twitter discussion about the teams struggles, calling out offensive co-ordinator Greg Roman. The tweet was quickly removed.Greg Roman can take a hike..the 49ers dont want you no more, the tweet said.When the word mediocre came up, Sherman said that distinction wen to their fans for vulgar name-calling throughout the game.You never have to resort to name-calling, said Sherman, who said a bottle was thrown as the Seahawks exited.Asked about Crabtree on Thursday, Sherman smiled and quipped: History? What history?He said he was throwing to the open man. He didnt care who was out there, Sherman said of Kaepernick. I was the open man.Phil Dawson provided San Franciscos lone points on a 40-yard field goal late in the third.Regarding Yorks comments, Harbaugh didnt address it.Weve got to reboot, come back and win them all, he said.NOTES: Wilson had a 118.8 passer rating. ... Crabtree hurt his left knee 56 seconds into the game after landing awkwardly on his left side following a 5-yard reception on which he was tackled by S Kam Chancellor. ... 49ers DT Ray McDonald injured a finger. ... In a lighthearted moment before kickoff, Harbaughs black hat blew off during the national anthem and landed on the lowest white stripe of a flag that covered the entire field. 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