Bautista out for 3rd game due to ankle injury

Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista will miss a third straight start with a right ankle injury.

The veteran right-fielder suffered the injury Thursday night against the Cleveland Indians and missed Toronto’s opening two games against the Boston Red Sox on Friday night and Saturday afternoon at Rogers Centre.

Rajai Davis was pencilled in as Toronto’s starter in right field for Sunday afternoon’s contest against Boston in place of Bautista, who twisted his ankle while running out a fielder’s choice in the eighth inning against Cleveland.

Bautista took batting practice prior to Sunday’s game and would be available to pinch hit.

Bautista homered in consecutive games Wednesday and Thursday, a good sign the left wrist injury he suffered late last season that required surgery has fully healed.

Catcher J.P. Arencibia will serve as Toronto’s designated-hitter Sunday as Henry Blanco is scheduled to make his season debut catching knuckleballer R.A. Dickey.

Toronto will also start Emilio Bonifacio in centre field instead of veteran Colby Rasmus with Boston starting left-hander Jon Lester, although Rasmus will be available to come off the bench.

Toronto is off Monday before heading to Detroit to face the Tigers on Tuesday, with Bautista expected to return to right field at that time.