Blue Jays leading off with Kevin Pillar, Saunders resting

With the Toronto Blue Jays facing left-hander Derek Holland on Thursday night, they’ve made a change atop their batting order.

Regular leadoff man Michael Saunders will receive the day off in left field and be replaced defensively by Ezequiel Carrera. Kevin Pillar, who opened the season as the Blue Jays’s leadoff hitter before being dropped to the bottom third of the lineup, will bat first once again following a hot week at the plate. 


In Pillar’s past five games, he is 7-for-17 with a home run, two walks, and no strikeouts. The decision was made even easier by Saunders’ career 0-for-11 line against Holland, including five strikeouts.

At second base, Darwin Barney will see another start over Ryan Goins with the left-hander on the mound. John Gibbons indicated earlier in the week that the two defensively gifted second basemen would begin working in more of a platoon. Should Goins continue to struggle as he has at the plate however, Barney could eventually win the majority share.

Saunders is expected to be available off the bench if needed. Given the Blue Jays’ current eight-man bullpen, only Saunders, Goins, Josh Thole, will be available, all lefties.