Yohendrick Piñango is back in John Schneider's lineup Monday, and the Blue Jays wasted no time dropping him into a big spot against Tampa Bay.
Toronto opens its series against the Rays at Rogers Centre with George Springer leading off as the designated hitter and Piñango hitting second in left field. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. stays at first base, while Kazuma Okamoto hits cleanup at third.
That alone tells you what Schneider thinks of Piñango right now. This is not a quiet return to the bottom of the order. It is a manager putting a rookie right in front of Guerrero and asking him to help set the tone.
Daulton Varsho bats fifth in center, Jesús Sánchez is in right field hitting sixth, and Ernie Clement stays at second base in the 7 spot. Andrés Giménez hits eighth at shortstop, with Brandon Valenzuela catching and batting ninth.
Piñango earned this look before the Blue Jays sent him down. When Toronto optioned him 2 days ago after Addison Barger returned, the move surprised plenty of people because Piñango had opened his big-league run hitting .423 with a .906 OPS in 26 at-bats.
Now he is back, and the timing says plenty. Addison Barger's fresh elbow trouble reopened a roster spot, and the Blue Jays turned back to the same young bat they had just pushed aside.
-
Piñango's return changes the feel of this lineup
The bigger point is where he is hitting. Batting second against the Rays is not filler usage. Schneider is giving Piñango a premium lane in a game that already carries pressure with Toronto sitting at 18-21 and Tampa Bay arriving at 25-13.
That top half also keeps the Blue Jays' best current shape intact. Springer gets on, Piñango gets a chance to keep the line moving, and Guerrero and Okamoto hit in the middle where the damage should be.
Valenzuela staying in matters too. Schneider is sticking with another young player who has helped the lineup lately, which makes this card feel more like a reward for production than a default setup.
There is also some risk baked in. Drew Rasmussen gets the ball for Tampa Bay against Kevin Gausman, and the Rays have been one of the hottest clubs in the league, so Toronto does not have much room for empty at-bats early.
That is why Piñango's return stands out more than any other name here. The Blue Jays need hot hands, and Schneider just handed one of the hottest bats on the roster one of the biggest spots on the lineup card.
On a night when Toronto needs a clean start to this Rays series, Yohendrick Piñango is not easing back in. He is being asked to help drive the offense right away.
Should Yohendrick Piñango stay near the top of the Blue Jays lineup?
Also read on Blue Jays Insider :
Blue Jays make roster move after bad Addison Barger MRI results
