Farrell intends to keep Rivera in lineup

[LittleOzzy]

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."

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/ar ... r&c_id=tor

[Schad]

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]

I thought Rivera looked great this series......considering we got to see who he was traded for.

[ItsDanger]

I want Rivera off this club by June. Doesnt impress me at all. Hopefully Lawrie is ready by then. Make it happen AA.

[There There]

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.

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.

[hyper316]

I thought Rivera looked great this series......considering we got to see who he was traded for.

when u put it that way... maybe ur right

[evilRyu]

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.

That's fair, but during the broadcast, it was mentioned that Rodney lost the closers role after blowing a save at Kansas City.. that's an even shorter leash! Of course I don't know the full details at hand.

[vaff87]

If you want to earn the respect and trust of your players, you have to be willing to stick with them when they're struggling at times. Rivera is a much better hitter than this for his career, so Farrell has enough reason to believe he'll get better I guess.

[Schad]

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.

[evilRyu]

If you were referring to today's game, (I believe) Waldon didn't close because he appeared in 6 of the 7 Angels games (prior to today).

[vaff87]

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.

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.

[Schad]

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.

[vaff87]

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.

That's fair. I think as we get further into the season Farrell will start to use JP as a DH some. Maybe he thinks he already has enough on his plate now? They always talk about how difficult it can be to stay in the game as a DH.

[There There]

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.

Or we get a couple of innings with Johnny Mac behind the plate