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Blue Jays manager John Farrell said he intends to continue putting Juan Rivera in the lineup despite his early-season struggles.

Rivera is batting just .154 (4-for-24) and has yet to record an extra-base hit. The lack of power production has been somewhat concerning for a player who hit a combined 40 home runs over the past two seasons.

"It's still a timing thing," Farrell said. "You see contact being made, yet you don't see him driving the ball like he's capable [of doing].

"We're committed to him, we're going to keep putting him in there."

Farrell thinks part of the issue might be related to Rivera's new role with the Blue Jays. Rivera is being used primarily as a designated hitter for the first time in his career, and that could lead to a period of adjustment.

"I know right now he's going through a bit of a thing where he's not accustomed to DH-ing," Farrell said.

"That is a role that is not easy for a player or position player that normally has been an everyday guy, where he's dealing with both ends of the game ... So there is a little bit of an adjustment that he is going through with that."

Schadenfreude wrote:It should really go without saying, but you don't bench a guy because he's had a bad first 35 plate appearances. That's doubly true when you're dealing with a notoriously slow starter like Rivera...he has a career .646 OPS in March/April, 140 points below his overall numbers.

J-Roc wrote:I thought Rivera looked great this series......considering we got to see who he was traded for.

Schadenfreude wrote:It should really go without saying, but you don't bench a guy because he's had a bad first 35 plate appearances. That's doubly true when you're dealing with a notoriously slow starter like Rivera...he has a career .646 OPS in March/April, 140 points below his overall numbers.

There There wrote:Agreed. But it should also go without saying that if you plan to have Molina catch 40% of the time, at least for as long as Reyes is starting, then you need to find some at bats at DH for Arencibia, regardless of the start either player has.

Schadenfreude wrote:

There There wrote:Agreed. But it should also go without saying that if you plan to have Molina catch 40% of the time, at least for as long as Reyes is starting, then you need to find some at bats at DH for Arencibia, regardless of the start either player has.

Absolutely. I'd have no qualms with DHing Arencibia over Rivera on Molina nights, or Arencibia over E5 with Bautista shifting to third. But if it's Rivera vs. Nix, I'm talking Rivera every time.

Re: the short leash on Rodney. That's Scioscia for you, and Rodney is back in the closer's role now.

vaff87 wrote:If the Jays are to DH Arencibia, shouldn't they call up another catcher in case Molina gets injured? Where otherwise they'd be forced to lose their DH.

Schadenfreude wrote:

vaff87 wrote:If the Jays are to DH Arencibia, shouldn't they call up another catcher in case Molina gets injured? Where otherwise they'd be forced to lose their DH.

Losing the DH for a couple at-bats just isn't that big of a deal. Worst case, you have to use a couple pinch hitters or send the pitcher up for a plate appearance or two.

Schadenfreude wrote:

vaff87 wrote:If the Jays are to DH Arencibia, shouldn't they call up another catcher in case Molina gets injured? Where otherwise they'd be forced to lose their DH.

Losing the DH for a couple at-bats just isn't that big of a deal. Worst case, you have to use a couple pinch hitters or send the pitcher up for a plate appearance or two.