Bautista maintains that, while his slide was late, he didn't intend to hurt Odor. "I could have hit him," Bautista told Sports Illustrated. "I could have hurt him. I chose not to. My cleats were down.

Despite punching him Sunday, Odor said he respects Bautista because he "plays hard." The Rangers' series-clinching victory Sunday was the final regular season meeting between the two clubs.

Jose Bautista was scathing of the Texas Rangers after the Toronto Blue Jays star was punched in the face by Rougned Odor in wild scenes on Sunday.

Rougned Odor punches Jose Bautista in the face during brawl By ABC News May 15, 2016, 4:15 PM ...

With the incident on Monday between the Toronto Blue Jays and Pittsburgh Pirates, has Tommy Pham suddenly made himself the ...