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Edwin Encarnacion’s Minor Oblique Injury Might Affect Contract Negotiations

Earlier this morning, it was reported by Mike Wilner of Sportsnet that Edwin Encarnacion suffered a “minor” oblique injury and had been shut down from baseball activities for a week:

This is problematic for several different reasons. Encarnacion, who missed time last season due to back and finger injuries – has yet to play in a single spring training game due to an abscessed tooth that he had removed in February. As an integral member of the best offense in baseball, Encarnacion hit .277/.372/.577 with 39 home runs and 111 RBI in 2015. His lack of presence as the cleanup hitter could dampen this potent offense (though this ought to be mitigated by the fact that he is traditionally slow to get his bat going each season, and the likelihood that Chris Colabello will replace him as DH until his return).

But, perhaps the greatest problem of all is the fact that Edwin Encarnacion is still embroiled in contract negotiations with the Blue Jays. Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes reported that the slugger had been “pessimistic” about being able to reach a contract with the team:

According to Rojas, Encarnacion experienced some oblique pain when he swung the bat for the first time this spring on Sunday, after having rested much of the winter due to a finger injury and sports hernia surgery. An MRI revealed only slight swelling and he expects to be in the lineup against the Tampa Bay Rays on opening day – the self-imposed deadline set by Encarnacion to reach an extension with the team. Should the two sides be unable to reach a deal by that date, Encarnacion has stated that he does not wish to engage in negotiations during the season, preferring instead to focus solely on his on-field performance. In his article, Rojas quotes Encarnacion as saying that in the most recent meeting between his agent and the Blue Jays, the two sides could not come to an agreement as to the number of years and that money was not discussed much. Further, Encarnacion is quoted as saying that the length of a contract was of greater interest to him. Edwin appears to be seeking a four- or five-year deal, which in and of itself is risky due to his age (he will turn 34 before the start of next season) and injury history. And, while some believe that he is more likely than teammate Jose Bautista to sign with Toronto due to his affection for the city and the reduced number of options due to his DH status, Encarnacion told ESPN Deportes “Ahora espero terminar mi año, terminar mi año saludable e irme a la agencia libre. No descarto [un acuerdo] todavía, pero hay menos porcentaje de posibilidades de que no se haga a que se haga”. The translation: he hopes to finish the year healthy and enter free agency, and that while he does not rule out the possibility of reaching an agreement with the Jays, there is less of a chance that a deal will in fact get done.

All the more reason for fans to enjoy the upcoming season.

Lead Photo: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

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