MLB PLAYER NEWS

Bautista reaches deal with Blue Jays

The Sports Xchange

January 17, 2017 at 1:28 pm.

October 6, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) hits a three run home run in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers during game one of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Photo Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

October 6, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) hits a three run home run in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers during game one of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Photo Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Outfielder Jose Bautista is returning to the Blue Jays on a one-year deal, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.

The contract is reportedly worth $17.2 million for 2017 and includes a mutual option for the following season.

Bautista rejected that same one-year offer in November and became a free agent.

The 36-year-old Bautista is a six-time All-Star but didn’t draw much interest on the free-agent market after hitting just 22 homers with 69 RBIs in 2016.

Prior to the season, Bautista insisted he wouldn’t give the Blue Jays a “hometown discount” and would part ways if his financial demands weren’t met.

Bautista joined the Blue Jays in 2008 and has three 40-homer seasons during his time with the club.

Toronto lost star slugger Edwin Encarnacion earlier in the offseason. Encarnacion signed with the Cleveland Indians as a free agent.