-- John McDonald jogged onto the field at Rogers Centre in the ninth inning on Monday night, taking his position at shortstop for the Blue Jays. Just like that, manager John Gibbons had revived a topic that's been the source of much debate this season.
McDonald's move from the bench to short was to serve as a late-inning defensive replacement for David Eckstein. Gibbons had been reluctant to use McDonald instead of Eckstein in the late innings of close games this season, but that has suddenly changed.
"He may be the best defensive shortstop in the game," Gibbons said about McDonald. "If he was just very good, we probably wouldn't do it, but with what he can do out there -- take away runs -- it's the right thing to do.
"By no means is it a reflection on the other guy."
During the offseason, the Jays signed Eckstein to be their starting shortstop with a one-year contract worth $4.5 million. While he's an upgrade offensively, Eckstein isn't as talented as McDonald with a glove. Last year, Eckstein made 20 errors in 114 games at short for St. Louis, and he has six miscues through 29 games this season.
In 2007, McDonald assumed the regular duties at shortstop midway through the season for the Jays. He finished with a .982 fielding percentage in 102 games at the position. Compare that to American League Gold Glove Award-winner Orlando Cabrera, who had a .983 fielding percentage last season.
"You know you've got Johnny Mac there," Gibbons said. "You try to maximize everything you've got. We've been throwing [the idea] around a little bit."
Also on Monday, Gibbons moved Eckstein down into the lineup's ninth slot -- a switch that seems to play into the new line of thinking. If McDonald enters late in a game, he can slide into the No. 9 spot, where he typically hits in the order. Gibbons said making the mid-game switch might depend on how soon Eckstein is due to bat.
"It depends on where Eck is in the lineup," Gibbons said. "If he's still coming to the plate, we probably won't [play McDonald] until the ninth. If he's out of the way, we may do it in the eighth. Who knows?"
Beginning with the upcoming series against the Rays, who open a three-game set with the Jays on Tuesday, McDonald may see an increased amount of playing time. Gibbons said one reason the decision wasn't made sooner was that McDonald was needed off the bench as a pinch runner.
"When we had big Frank here," said Gibbons, referring to Frank Thomas, who was released by the club on April 20, "we also needed pinch runners -- one guy for him and another guy for maybe the catcher. Now, we don't really need that as much."
Considering the lack of run support provided of late by the Jays' offense, there's a good chance McDonald could make it into Tuesday's game, when A.J. Burnett takes the mound for Toronto. On Thursday, Burnett picked up a win on the road against the Red Sox, despite receiving only three runs from the Jays' lineup.
Burnett allowed no runs on three hits over 7 2/3 innings, striking out five and walking five. In his last two starts, Burnett has fashioned a 1.80 ERA, but has a 1-1 record, thanks to the low offensive production. He'll be aiming to steer the Jays to their first six-game winning streak since May 2004.
Pitching matchup
TOR: RHP A.J. Burnett (3-2, 4.82 ERA)
In his career against the Rays, Burnett is 6-2 with a 2.95 ERA in 13 starts.
TB: RHP Andy Sonnanstine (4-1, 4.42 ERA)
Sonnanstine is 1-1 with a 6.12 ERA in four career starts against the Jays.
Bird seed
Gibbons said that right-hander Brian Wolfe (strained right triceps) is playing catch and might be able to begin pitching off a mound again in about a week. Gibbons said it'd likely be at least two more weeks before Wolfe would be ready to be activated from the 15-day disabled list. ... Jays closer B.J. Ryan has been cleared to pitch on consecutive days, if needed, but he may not be available on Tuesday. Ryan, who is nearly one year removed from reconstructive surgery on his left elbow, needed 28 pitches to record a save on Monday night. "He threw a lot of pitches, Gibbons said. "So you probably won't see him [Tuesday night]. But, never say never." ... Jays second baseman Aaron Hill has hit .333 (4-for-12) with three doubles in his career against Sonnanstine.
McDonald's move from the bench to short was to serve as a late-inning defensive replacement for David Eckstein. Gibbons had been reluctant to use McDonald instead of Eckstein in the late innings of close games this season, but that has suddenly changed.
"He may be the best defensive shortstop in the game," Gibbons said about McDonald. "If he was just very good, we probably wouldn't do it, but with what he can do out there -- take away runs -- it's the right thing to do.
"By no means is it a reflection on the other guy."
During the offseason, the Jays signed Eckstein to be their starting shortstop with a one-year contract worth $4.5 million. While he's an upgrade offensively, Eckstein isn't as talented as McDonald with a glove. Last year, Eckstein made 20 errors in 114 games at short for St. Louis, and he has six miscues through 29 games this season.
In 2007, McDonald assumed the regular duties at shortstop midway through the season for the Jays. He finished with a .982 fielding percentage in 102 games at the position. Compare that to American League Gold Glove Award-winner Orlando Cabrera, who had a .983 fielding percentage last season.
"You know you've got Johnny Mac there," Gibbons said. "You try to maximize everything you've got. We've been throwing [the idea] around a little bit."
Also on Monday, Gibbons moved Eckstein down into the lineup's ninth slot -- a switch that seems to play into the new line of thinking. If McDonald enters late in a game, he can slide into the No. 9 spot, where he typically hits in the order. Gibbons said making the mid-game switch might depend on how soon Eckstein is due to bat.
"It depends on where Eck is in the lineup," Gibbons said. "If he's still coming to the plate, we probably won't [play McDonald] until the ninth. If he's out of the way, we may do it in the eighth. Who knows?"
Beginning with the upcoming series against the Rays, who open a three-game set with the Jays on Tuesday, McDonald may see an increased amount of playing time. Gibbons said one reason the decision wasn't made sooner was that McDonald was needed off the bench as a pinch runner.
"When we had big Frank here," said Gibbons, referring to Frank Thomas, who was released by the club on April 20, "we also needed pinch runners -- one guy for him and another guy for maybe the catcher. Now, we don't really need that as much."
Considering the lack of run support provided of late by the Jays' offense, there's a good chance McDonald could make it into Tuesday's game, when A.J. Burnett takes the mound for Toronto. On Thursday, Burnett picked up a win on the road against the Red Sox, despite receiving only three runs from the Jays' lineup.
Burnett allowed no runs on three hits over 7 2/3 innings, striking out five and walking five. In his last two starts, Burnett has fashioned a 1.80 ERA, but has a 1-1 record, thanks to the low offensive production. He'll be aiming to steer the Jays to their first six-game winning streak since May 2004.
Pitching matchup
TOR: RHP A.J. Burnett (3-2, 4.82 ERA)
In his career against the Rays, Burnett is 6-2 with a 2.95 ERA in 13 starts.
TB: RHP Andy Sonnanstine (4-1, 4.42 ERA)
Sonnanstine is 1-1 with a 6.12 ERA in four career starts against the Jays.
Bird seed
Gibbons said that right-hander Brian Wolfe (strained right triceps) is playing catch and might be able to begin pitching off a mound again in about a week. Gibbons said it'd likely be at least two more weeks before Wolfe would be ready to be activated from the 15-day disabled list. ... Jays closer B.J. Ryan has been cleared to pitch on consecutive days, if needed, but he may not be available on Tuesday. Ryan, who is nearly one year removed from reconstructive surgery on his left elbow, needed 28 pitches to record a save on Monday night. "He threw a lot of pitches, Gibbons said. "So you probably won't see him [Tuesday night]. But, never say never." ... Jays second baseman Aaron Hill has hit .333 (4-for-12) with three doubles in his career against Sonnanstine.
