Blue Jays put slugger Bautista on DL

NEW YORK — Jose Bautista was worried his injury was worse.

The star slugger landed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday but was relieved to learn there's no structural damage in his ailing left wrist. He thinks he could return to Toronto's lineup as soon as he's eligible, though manager John Farrell said it's too early to tell.

"The last thing that we want is to push this to the point of any kind of relapse or the potential for any other damage that might be incurred if he's not fully ready to go," Farrell said. "So we can fully appreciate his eagerness, but we'll monitor this closely daily as we go through at least these first 15 days."

Bautista left Monday night's loss to the New York Yankees after feeling pain in his wrist on an eighth-inning swing that produced a long foul ball. X-rays were negative and the Blue Jays said the All-Star right fielder had an MRI on Tuesday that revealed inflammation. Bautista called the injury a strain.