Music: {allcanada} Encarnacion out of Jays' lineup; Smoak starts

Saturday, May 16, 2015

{allcanada} Encarnacion out of Jays' lineup; Smoak starts

HOUSTON – Edwin Encarnacion was held out of the Blue Jays' starting lineup in favour of Justin Smoak on Saturday.

"I don't know, it's a day off, whatever," said Encarnacion. "Go ask the manager."

So, it was off to find John Gibbons.

"He's a little bit banged up but we wanted to get Smoaky in there tonight," said Gibbons. "Smoaky, in his career, has hit this guy pretty good."

Smoak has had success off Astros' right-hander Scott Feldman. In 14 career plate appearances, he is 5-for-11 with two home runs and three walks.

Encarnacion has just one hit off Feldman in nine at-bats but it was a big one, a three-run home run.

It's not exactly clear what Gibbons is referring to when he says Encarnacion is "banged up." Few players are in perfect health at this time of year. Encarnacion did miss considerable time in spring training with a back strain.

"Feeling good; it's feeling good," said Encarnacion.

He did labour down the first base line in the second inning of Friday night's game. Encarnacion hit a chopper which deflected off pitcher Dallas Keuchel's glove toward shortstop Marwin Gonzalez. Gonzalez had time to change course, field the ball on a clean hop and throw across the diamond for the easy out.

Whether it's frustration or caution, Encarnacion rarely runs full speed to first base on groundballs. It's been particularly noticeable since he tore his quad on a close play at first early last July in Oakland. He missed more than a month of action as the Jays careened out of first place in the AL East and fell too far behind in the wild card chase.

If it was up to Encarnacion, he'd been playing.

"He told me (Friday) night he was going to give me a day off," said Encarnacion. "Okay, he's the manager."

Smoak's been the man frozen out of the Blue Jays' lineup since Jose Bautista's injured shoulder forced him into the regular designated hitter's role. Saturday marked Smoak's third start in the month of May and his fifth since April 25.

Martin's catch-and-throw ability

Catcher Russell Martin continues to snuff out opponents' running games. He's thrown out 48 per cent of would-be base stealers this season, which is the best mark in baseball.

"He's so quick," said manager John Gibbons. "He might be the quickest guy out there unloading the ball. He's got a good arm on top of that. Low centre of gravity, he doesn't have a lot of long legs he's got to move. Plus his style, his setup, he's slightly cockeyed; probably moreso than most so he's closer to that throwing position to begin with. But it hits his glove, it's gone."

The league's caught stealing percentage is 31 per cent.