The popular thinking is that it takes about three days after a cortisone shot for a baseball player to resume game action. On Thursday, Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis was rested for a fourth day — and a third game — following a shot to the second knuckle of his right hand on Sunday. It locked up on him, so that doesn’t leave a lot on the bench.”The healthy players available for the series finale against the Angels, after Ryan Goins was optioned, were catcher Josh Thole and first baseman Justin Smoak. THE BAUTISTA FACTOR: With the return of Jose Bautista on Thursday night and the need for him to DH on more occasions to protect his wounded knee, the opportunities to start games have been reduced for first baseman Justin Smoak, as Edwin Encarnacion draws more starts on the diamond. Whatever happens happens.

Source: thestar August 26, 2016 02:15 UTC