Addison Barger is back on the injured list, and manager John Schneider has turned to Yohendrick Piñango again for help.
That is a rough twist for Toronto because Barger had only just returned and looked like one of the bats that could give this lineup a little more life.
Instead, the Blue Jays are right back to adjusting on the fly. Barger goes to the IL, and Piñango is back in the clubhouse after earning real attention during his first look in the majors.
The timing is what makes this hit. Toronto did not lose some spare bench piece here. Barger was supposed to be a meaningful part of the outfield mix and a left-handed bat with some needed thump.
Now Schneider is forced to patch the roster again, and that has become a familiar theme for this club through the first stretch of the season.
There is still value in the replacement, though. Piñango did not look overmatched the last time he was here, and that matters when a club needs more than a placeholder.
He gave the Blue Jays quality at-bats, some energy, and the kind of early production that made his last trip back to Buffalo feel a little harsh.
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Piñango has earned another look in Toronto
That is why this recall makes sense even if the reason behind it does not. Piñango has already shown he can handle the moment well enough to deserve another run.
For Schneider, that softens the blow a bit. He is not calling up a player the room barely knows. He is bringing back an outfielder who already proved he can help in real games.
There is also a simple roster truth here. When a younger hitter is performing and still has some confidence rolling, the best move is often to get him back in the lineup picture fast and see if it carries over.
Piñango now gets that chance because Barger's setback reopened the door almost immediately.
The bigger problem is what this says about Toronto. The Blue Jays keep trying to stabilize the roster, and every time one answer seems to show up, another health issue pulls the board apart again.
That is why this is bad news first and opportunity second. Barger going back on the IL stings because Toronto needs healthy regulars, not another round of lineup reshuffling.
Still, Piñango gives them a live bat and a player worth watching. If he picks up where he left off, the Blue Jays may at least get something useful out of another frustrating roster turn.
Should Yohendrick Piñango get regular starts while Addison Barger is out again?
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