MLB Rumors: Former Blue Jay Denies Two-Way Player Comeback

KEY POINTS

Bautista open to becoming a pitcher
Two-way player suggestions not entirely true
Bautista staying in shape for possible baseball stint

Jose Bautista took the year off in 2019 but the 39-year-old baseball player is not entirely closing the doors on another MLB run. Known more as a hitter, Bautista raised some kind of storm recently when he was spotted working on the mound with former teammate Marcus Stroman. Both are good friends and teammates from 2014-17.

Videos of that workout came out and most felt it was a sign that Bautista plans to try out pitching. The former Toronto Blue Jay cleared the air recently on MLB Network Radio, explaining that while he has no immediate plans of being a pitcher, anything is possible.

"I’ve never stated that it was my plan or desire to make it to the big leagues as a big-league pitcher. … That being said, I was working out with Stroman all offseason. He’s local to Tampa. He’s my really good friend, he needed a throwing partner, and I just got on his program to help him out and have fun with it," Bautista explained.

CBS Sports suggested that Bautista could return as a two-way player earlier this month. This was the result of that Twitter post made by Stroman. However, the Dominican professional baseball player stressed that he is a hitter but be open to an opportunity if it is offered to him.

"I’m a hitter. … I would entertain an opportunity to get back to the big leagues as a hitter. … If somebody calls me and says, ’Hey, you want to be a two-way guy?’ I’d be a fool to say no. That’s kind of the way I look at it," Bautista said.

As of this writing, no MLB team has come forward to offer him anything. Regardless, Bautista is keeping himself in shape if some team does. With Major League Baseball one of the sporting leagues grounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, Bautista can whip himself back in shape and possibly in time if the MLB season opens.

Bautista's age could be a problem but anything remains possible. He could draw interest in the minors and possibly get a call from the big league if he proves effective. In all, "Joey Bats" has not closed the door on an MLB return. He could return with a new moniker - "Joey Sliders".