Former players think Odor aimed throw at Bautista

Before Rougned Odor threw the punch at Jose Bautista, he may have attempted a different kind of throw.

Several former players who observed the Texas Rangers second baseman's throw while getting out of the sliding Bautista's way, moments before the Rangers-Toronto Blue Jays brawl, believe Odor was intending to hit Bautista in the face with his throw.

Former outfielder and current MLB Network analyst Eric Byrnes was one of the first to suggest this, and slowed down video of the play to make his point.

Former All-Star outfielder Torii Hunter also claimed to see something suspicious in Odor's arm angle on the throw, which sailed wide of first base.

Not everyone was convinced that Odor made the throw with an intent to injure, though. Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander disagreed with his former teammate's view of the play.

Both Odor and Bautista are likely to face discipline from the league for the incident. Whether Joe Torre, who oversees on-field discipline for Major League Baseball, takes the throw into account when handing out suspensions remains to be seen.