Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons had to juggle his batting order ahead of Monday night's game against the Chicago White Sox to keep a hot bat in the lineup.
Gibbons had Ezequiel Carrera playing centre field and leading off while Michael Saunders, who Carrera had filled in for the past three days as the Canadian outfielder nursed a sore hamstring, was back in left. Everyday centre-fielder Kevin Pillar got the night off.
"You gotta keep Zeke in there. Shoot, he's on fire," Gibbons said prior to the game.
Carrera had the first four-hit game of his career on Saturday, a 9-3 victory over the visiting Oakland Athletics, and was 2-for-4 with a run batted in in Sunday's 6-3 win against the A's.
Russell Martin, who left Friday's game with a stiff neck but started Saturday, was out for Monday's game. Back-up Josh Thole started in Martin's place with Gibbons naming infielder Darwin Barney as his replacement if needed.
"He's feeling better," Gibbons said of Martin. "He played Saturday but it still wasn't gone so we gotta try and nip that."
Right-hander Drew Hutchison remained with the team after being called up for a spot start on Sunday. The Blue Jays said Hutchison, who's had over three years of major league service time, needed to clear optional waivers before returning to triple-A Buffalo.
Reigning American League MVP Josh Donaldson started Monday's game at DH while Barney manned third base. Gibbons said the move was to give Donaldson, who was hit in the leg by a pitch during Saturday's game, a bit of a break.
"His leg's been a little sore so it's affecting him," Gibbons said. "We're a little banged up, that's for sure."
Regular DH Edwin Encarnacion started at first base.
The Canadian Press
