The Dominican Republic has added even more muscle to its outfield, as star slugger Jose Bautista is expected to join the national squad for the World Baseball Classic in March, according to MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi.
The Blue Jays have not confirmed the report.
Fresh off signing a one-year deal on Wednesday to return to Toronto, Bautista will join one of the most talented outfields in the tournament, alongside Nelson Cruz, Starling Marte, Marcell Ozuna and Gregory Polanco. Bautista, whose most recent World Baseball Classic appearance came in 2009, could also get some at-bats as the Dominican's designated hitter given its abundance of outfield options.
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The Dominican Republic will defend its 2013 Classic title beginning with a matchup against Canada on March 9 in Miami.
The 36-year old Bautista is coming off a down season marred by nagging injuries. The right fielder batted .234/.366/.452 with 22 home runs and 69 RBIs over 116 games in 2016.