Francona is probably worried about hurting EE's confidence/feelings.

More stats that surprise me, EE has 56 career steals and caught 13 times. Carlos 35 and 16. Of course Edward is getting older, only 7 in the last 3 years.

Diaz is a nice hitter but he has one extra base hit in 44 plate appearances. Not a cleanup hitter.

At the rate EE is going, I don't consider him a cleanup hitter either. At least Diaz puts the ball in play. Right now, I'll take singles out of that cleanup spot.

The Blue Jays usually had him bat 3rd.

Third! Fourth! I don't think it makes any difference at this point.

I have no reason to assume that he won't get going at some point. I need to look up if he's usually a poor April hitter. Hope so.

good news: Here are monthly career spits for Encarnacion. It would have been nice if they had warned us:

April 245/322/435
May 244/328/492
June 287/386/550
July 288/378/515
Aug 278/358/520
Sept 257/353/481

Looking ahead a bit, his 20 games of postseason experience: 280/372/450. And excluding his 5 games against Us last year, 304/440/556. So since he won't be facing Kluber Miller or Allen in October this year, those numbers bode well.

OPS to date:

Lindor 1152
Ramirez 1014

huge drop off



Almonte 739
Santana 725
Brantley 716

Encarnacion 633
Diaz 608 singles alone do not make a major leaguer





Gomes 354, down even from last year's 427

You keep talking, Civ. Guarantee you are going to be eating crow on Yandy.

Clevinger in Columbus today .. 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K

I've got nothing against Diaz. But he's got to start showing his line drive power.

Here's a Q and A at Baseball America:

MJ (Texas): What are your thoughts on Yandi Diaz thus far? Does he earn a full time job at some point...even when Kipnis returns?

Josh Norris: My thoughts on Yandy Diaz are the same as ever. That he was someone who was unanimously brought up by EL managers a couple of years back as an interesting player who showed leadership qualities and the ability to play multiple positions well. I think he could start on some level, but he’s a perfect superutility type of player, too.

Civ

You say singles alone do not make a major league. And that he has got to start showing his line drive power.

Well first of all, he has sprayed hard line drives all over the field. Unfortunately he's hit a few lasers that were right at OF'ers, and one snagged by 1st baseman. But the exit velocity of the balls off his bat is one of the tops in baseball. Eventually those will start finding gaps.

Second, the guy has only played 2 weeks. I mean, c'mon...

I just think that is terribly unfair, but just my worthless opinion.