Wrist woes
Blue Jays infielder Edwin Encarnacion was a late scratch from Friday’s game. He is experiencing pain in his left wrist, the result of making a dive on a fielding play he made in Oakland. Taking his place at third base was John McDonald, who batted eighth in the lineup.
“Right now he’s got a sore left wrist,” manager Cito Gaston said of Encarnacion. “I don’t know how long that’s going to be. It was sore today so I took him out of the lineup.”
Gaston said that it bothers Encarnacion more when he hits and he doesn’t know when he will be able to return.
Back in action
Friday’s game also marked the return to the lineup of catcher John Buck, who came off the 15-day disabled list. Buck had been out since he needed stitches to the tip of his right thumb after being nailed by a foul ball two weeks ago. In his absence, the Jays called up J.P. Arencibia, who has since been sent back to triple-A Las Vegas. Buck said he is ready to go after having three rehab assignment games at double-A New Hampshire.
“I’m going into this game not trying to find my timing,” Buck said. “I’m coming in knowing I’m ready to go so that part of it’s good. Physically it helps to see a couple balls come at you, block a couple of balls just cause where you gonna put your hand (his right, the one that was injured).”
Buck added that he has been experimenting with where he will place his right hand when runners are on base in an effort to protect his right thumb and still have his hand ready to make a quick throw. “But I’ll probably do what I normally do” and just tuck his thumb into his first.
Rating Drabek
One of the side benefits for Buck while he was in New Hampshire was catching Kyle Drabek, the pitching prospect who was the main player the Jays obtained from the Phillies in the Roy Halladay trade.
This season at New Hampshire, Drabek is 13-9 with a 3.12 ERA in 24 starts. He could wind up as the Jays’ fifth starter next season.
Buck, who also caught Drabek for one game in spring training, was hesitant to give Drabek the big buildup and claim he’s ready for the big leagues now.
“Early in the spring, I barely remember that,” he said. “Both times I remember he had really good stuff for a kid his age so that hasn’t changed. I’m sure they don’t want to rush him because he’s so young and learning things right now.
“But you can’t say someone’s ready for the big leagues if you’ve only caught him twice. I just know he has the stuff that’s advertised. It’s good.
“But there’s so many other factors and variables that go into whether he should be in the big leagues next year or not.”
Up Next
Saturday, Blue Jays (LHP Ricky Romero, 10-7, 3.43) at Red Sox (RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka, 8-4, 4.17), 7:10 p.m., Sportsnet, Fan 590.
Sunday, Blue Jays (RHP Shaun Marcum, 11-6, 3.69) at Red Sox (RHP Clay Buchholz, 14-5, 2.36), 1:35 p.m., Sportsnet, Fan 590.
