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."
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