HERE’S THE CATCH
It will be interesting to see how the Blue Jays play this one out the next two weeks.
In the fifth inning of the Blue Jays’ 5-1 loss to the Yankees in New York on Wednesday, Alex Rodriguez fouled a ball back that drilled catcher John Buck in the right thumb, ripping his thumb open for three stitches. As a result, Buck will be on the disabled list for 15 days with power-hitting J.P. Arencibia, the heir apparent to Buck’s job next season, being called up from triple-A Las Vegas.
Arencibia was a first-round pick in the 2007 June draft. Through 95 games with Las Vegas, Arencibia has hit .303 with 31 home runs, 32 doubles, 71 runs scored and 79 RBIs.
The question is, just how many of the next 12 games — the Jays have three off days over the next two weeks — will Arencibia start back of the plate?
The Jays have more than a capable backup in Jose Molina. In fact he’s a better catch-and-throw catcher than Buck and has worked well with the pitching staff. In the 33 games that Molina has started in the catching position — he has one start as the DH — the Jays staff has had a 3.28 ERA. In the games that Buck has caught, the staff has a 4.41 ERA.
There is no question that Arencibia has the better bat and more power but when it comes to calling a game and throwing out runners, Molina is way ahead.
It doesn’t make a lot of sense to bring Arencibia up and sit him either. Manager Cito Gaston, though, is loyal to veteran players.
It will be interesting to see how many games Arencibia gets to start.
ROTATION INTACT
With an off day Thursday and another one on Monday, Gaston has decided to keep his rotation intact and not skip over any pitcher.
Left-hander Ricky Romero, who pitched a two-hit complete game on Tuesday, will face the biggest delay. He won’t make his next start until Tuesday at the Rogers Centre against Boston — on six days rest.
“I’m pushing everybody back,” Gaston said. “We’re trying to get all our guys through the season (and not have to sit them out due to innings pitched).
Gaston believes it’s beneficial to have his starters make it through the season and not sit out the final month.
“The more you pitch, the more you’re going to learn,” he said.
In September, the Jays likely will go with a six-man rotation to help keep everybody’s innings pitched under control.
MINOR MATTERS
RHP Zach Stewart pitched five strong outings in his start Tuesday for New Hampshire against Richmond. He allowed one run on two hits in the no-decision. Over his last six starts, Stewart is 2-0 with a 1.58 ERA to lower his ERA to 3.67 from 4.38. On the season at double-A New Hampshire, Stewart is 8-2 in 21 starts.
ON DECK
Friday — Rays (RHP Matt Garza, 11-5, 4.11) at Blue Jays (LHP Brett Cecil, 8-5, 3.77), Sportsnet, Fan 590.
Saturday — Rays (RHP James Shields, 10-9, 4.54) at Blue Jays (RHP Jesse Litsch, 1-5, 5.79), Sportsnet, Fan 590.
Sunday — Rays (RHP Jeff Niemann, 10-3, 3.12) at Blue Jays (RHP Brandon Morrow, 8-6, 4.79), Sportsnet, Fan 590.
