MLB PLAYER NEWS

Blue Jays keep Bautista, Encarnacion, Dickey

The Sports Xchange

November 03, 2015 at 1:32 pm.

Jose Bautista rounds the bases after hitting a home run against Tampa Bay. (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)

Jose Bautista rounds the bases after hitting a home run against Tampa Bay. (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)

The Toronto Blue Jays exercised 2016 contract options on right fielder Jose Bautista, designated hitter-first baseman Edwin Encarnacion and right-hander R.A. Dickey on Tuesday.

The Blue Jays declined a $3 million option on infielder Maicer Izturis, giving him a $1 million buyout instead after an injury-riddled season.

The 35-year-old Bautista batted .250 with 40 home runs and 114 RBIs during the regular season in 2015.

Encarnacion, 32, hit .277 with 39 homers and 111 RBIs in 146 games this year. He underwent sports hernia surgery recently but is expected to be recovered before spring training begins in February.

The durable Dickey, 41, posted an 11-11 record with a 3.91 ERA in 33 starts this past season. The Blue Jays could have opted for a $1 million buyout but chose to stick with Dickey.