Bautista's 1-game suspension upheld

The one-game suspension for Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista has been upheld on appeal and will be served Friday.

Bautista will miss the Blue Jays' series opener against the American League-leading Boston Red Sox. Ezequiel Carrera will start in right field in Bautista's absence.

The 35-year-old had appealed the one-game suspension stemming from an altercation with Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor on May 15.

After learning his appeal was denied, he called the decision "unfounded" and "unfair," according to Brendan Kennedy of the Toronto Star.

Bautista, who made a hard takeout slide at second base on Odor, was suspended for one game by MLB senior vice president Joe Garagiola Jr. for his actions and postgame comments on May. 17.

After receiving the suspension, Bautista was confident he could successfully win his appeal.

''I think there's precedents set in the past and they should be respected,'' Bautista said. ''I think I have good enough reasons. I'm not just appealing it for the sake of appealing it.''

Odor was suspended eight games - though the ban was later reduced to seven - and fined $5,000 by MLB for punching Bautista on the jaw after the takeout slide, which led to a bench-clearing brawl and discipline of 14 players and staff for their roles in the altercation.

Bautista is hitting .238/.379/.494 with 10 home runs and 34 RBIs for the Jays, including .321/.406/.679 with three home runs and six RBIs over his last seven games.