NEW YORK — Demote Teoscar Hernandez to make room for Kendrys Morales on Friday?
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons was at his tap-dancing best on the matter Thursday, both shooting down the notion that the hot-hitting outfielder would end up the odd man out while at the same time not quite confirming that he’ll be staying.
“How do you know Hernandez is going anywhere?” he replied to one question ahead of the opener to a four-game series against the New York Yankees. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but Mo will be activated.”
Hernandez was once again batting second in the lineup Thursday, a place where he’s done nothing but rake since being recalled last Friday when Josh Donaldson was placed on the disabled list.
He’s 8-for-19 with three doubles, a triple and a walk in four games, picking up from a torrid September and a strong spring training, during which he’s shown improved plate discipline.
“Look at what he’s doing—maybe he ought to get regular playing time here,” said Gibbons. “I don’t think he has anything more to prove in triple-A. I can’t answer that yet, how it’s all going to shake out. You want to throw your best team out there, don’t you?”
Asked if the Blue Jays’ best team included Hernandez, Gibbons replied: “You decide that.”
“It’s going to be tough, whatever we do,” he added. “It’s not going to be ideal either, but something has got to be done.”
Morales, returning from a mild right hamstring strain, is primarily a DH and keeping Hernandez on the roster would mean carrying five outfielders, four of them right-handed hitters.
Juggling playing time for them all would be a difficult task, but the Blue Jays are also carrying an eight-man bullpen and could option reliever Tim Mayza back to Buffalo.
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SHORT HOPS
Donaldson played catch Thursday in Dunedin, Fla., for the first time since he was placed on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation. “He felt great,” said Gibbons. “Now I don’t know what that means, don’t have a timeline, but he felt great, which is the important thing. He won’t be here Saturday.” Donaldson is first eligible for activation Saturday. He’s been running and doing conditioning work consistently and hitting for several days without issue as he builds toward game action
Troy Tulowitzki (bone spurs on both heels) is due to have a follow-up appointment with his surgeon early next week … The Blue Jays activated outfielders Anthony Alford (hamstring) and Dalton Pompey (wrist) from the disabled list and optioned both to triple-A Buffalo.
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