Blue Jays Rookie Bateman Suffers Hip Injury Whilst Making Catch

Summary:

• Brett Bateman injured his right hip after making a diving catch on the wet outfield at Camden Yards against the Baltimore Orioles.
• The Toronto Blue Jays rookie is hitting .322 with two home runs and 11 RBIs in 37 games with Toronto.
• The Blue Jays fell to 77-80 and remained 3.5 games out of the final American League wild-card spot.

Another game, another setback: the Toronto Blue Jays suffered a new blow on Monday night, September 21, when rookie center fielder Brett Bateman left their 4-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles with a right hip injury.

Wet Grass Issue

Bateman made an impressive diving catch to end the second inning at Camden Yards, but appeared to catch his right knee in the wet outfield grass as he completed the play. The 24-year-old immediately showed signs of discomfort and remained on the ground for several moments.

The rookie was eventually able to leave the field under his own power, walking alongside manager John Schneider and members of the training staff.

Toronto later announced that Bateman had left the game because of right hip discomfort. The precautionary X-rays that he was subject to did not show any signs of a fracture.

Schneider said after the game that Bateman’s hip was tender, while indicating that the rookie appeared to have avoided an injury to his ankle or knee. Myles Straw replaced him in the lineup.

Bad Timing for Injury

The timing is particularly notable for Toronto, with Bateman having quickly become an important part of the lineup since arriving from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline. The deal sent veteran pitcher Kevin Gausman to Chicago.

Bateman made his Major League Baseball debut on August 7 and has hit .322 with two home runs and 11 RBIs in 37 games for Toronto. He has also posted an .809 OPS and has regularly occupied the leadoff spot.

Monday’s loss added to a difficult stretch for the Blue Jays. Baltimore won 4-3, leaving Toronto with a 77-80 record and just five games remaining in the regular season.

The Blue Jays entered the night 3.5 games behind the Chicago White Sox for the final American League wild-card position. With so little time left on the schedule, every game carries added importance for Toronto’s playoff hopes.

For now, the immediate question is Bateman’s availability. The negative X-ray provides some relief, but the team has not announced a timetable for his return.

Toronto will have to wait for further evaluation before determining whether its rookie center fielder can return to the lineup during the final games of the MLB season.