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. Aaron Altherr Jersey . "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. Cheap MLB Jerseys . The 25-year-old native of Milford, Conn., has 18 points in 41 games this season. The five-foot-eight 166-pound centre also has 28 points (10-18) in 15 games with AHL Oklahoma City. Pat Neshek Jersey . - Ronda Rousey realizes shes finishing up one of the biggest years for any fighter in the young history of mixed martial arts at UFC 168, and the UFCs bantamweight champion intends to go out on top. http://www.cheapphilliesjerseys.com/ . Hes still nowhere close to throwing yet. The four-time MVP was in good spirits when he made his first public appearance on the field since having neck surgery Sept.Phil Taylor moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League after starting the second phase with wins over Gary Anderson and James Wade in Sheffield. The Power kicked off the evening top of the standings with a one point advantage over Michael van Gerwen and made the most of playing twice to extend his lead with two strong victories. Premier League results - Night Ten James Wade 7-4 Raymond van Barnveld Gary Anderson 3-7 Phil Taylor Robert Thornton 5-7 Michael van Gerwen Adrian Lewis 6-6 Peter Wright Phil Taylor 7-4 James Wade Taylor said this week that he felt two wins would all but guarantee a return to the O2 for Finals Night in May after missing out last year and he delivered those victories on the opening night of the second phase of the tournament. First up for Taylor was defending Premier League champion and two-time defending world champion Gary Anderson and the Power clocked up an impressive 7-3 success after reeling off five successive legs after trailing 3-2.The Flying Scotsman missed chances to forge a 4-2 and that seemed to affect him as Taylor cruised through the remainder of the match to apply the pressure on Van Gerwen who was up next.The Dutchman responded by ending a run of three successive draws in a high-quality contest against a rejuvenated Robert Thornton. Michael van Gerwen was back to his best with a win over Robert Thornton (Pic: Lawrence Lustig) MVG recorded an average of 117.95 in his victory but was made to work hard by Thornton who fought back from 6-2 down to 6-5 and give himself a chance of an unlikely point - it was not to be for the Scot and Van Gerwen reduced the gap on Taylor back to just a point.However the Power was back in the final match of the evening to secure a valuable 7-4 victory over James Wade and a priceless lead aat the top of the table ahead of next weeks fixtures in Belfast. Greg Luzinski Jersey. Taylor was too strong for the Machine, although both men showed signs of tiredness in their second match of the evening.With scoring and finishing scrappy, Taylor looked to have done enough when he moved into a 5-1 lead as Wade wasted a string of chances. Premier League - Night 11 fixtures Robert Thornton v Peter Wright Raymond van Barneveld v Phil Taylor James Wade v Adrian Lewis Michael van Gerwen v Gary Anderson Raymond van Barneveld v Robert Thornton However the Machine fought back to 5-3 and 6-4 to remain in with a chance of a point before a ruthless Taylor closed out the match and a win that underlines the resurgence he has shown in an unbeaten run now stretching nine weeks.Im over the moon and its another four points and a step closer to getting into the play-offs, said Taylor.I think another one or two wins will put me through and thats what Im after.Gary Anderson was the first stepping point. At three-each it was a close match and then he let me in, and I took advantage of him. It was hard in the second match against James, its difficult but youve got to do it and to get the two points from that game is lovely.In the nights opening match, Wade had begun with a fine 7-4 victory over Raymond van Barneveld.Barney knew he needed victory to keep alive any slim hopes of a play-off place and the pair could not be separated until the 10th leg when Wade broke for the first time and a 6-4 advantage which he consolidated to win the match.Adrian Lewis and Peter Wright shared the points in a scrappy and disjointed affair. The first 10 legs went with throw before Snakebite looked to have secured a crucial break but somehow Jackpot managed to earn a share of the spoils. Also See: Premier League darts - as it happened When Mardle played Snakebite Fixtures/Results Premier League table Cheap Steelers Jerseys Cheap Patriots Jerseys Cheap Bills Jerseys Cheap Jets Jerseys Cheap Giants Jerseys Cheap Redskins Jerseys Cheap Bears Jerseys Cheap Eagles Jerseys Cheap Cardinals Jerseys Cheap Jaguars Jerseys Cheap Raiders Jerseys Cheap Dolphins Jerseys Cheap Panthers Jerseys Cheap Lions Jerseys Cheap Browns Jerseys ' ' '