Backup infielder Joe Inglett is forcing his way into getting more playing time with his play on the field. Inglett has played in 51 games for the Blue Jays this season and he is 37 for 115 (.322 avg, .875 OPS) with 13 runs scored, 2 homers, 17 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. With Aaron Hill out for a while due to a concussion, Inglett is pushing Marco Scutaro and David Eckstein for playing time. He has played especially well since Cito Gaston has taken over as the manager and with the Blue Jays fielding offers for David Eckstein, Inglett could have a much larger role on the Jays in the near future.

The Blue Jays figured that they wouldn’t get much offense out of the catchers this season but they have been pleasantly surprised so far this year. Rod Barajas has played in 51 games this season for the Blue Jays and he is 45 for 155 (.290 avg, .839 OPS) with 20 runs scored, 6 homers and 24 RBIs. The Blue Jays knew that Barajas was capable of hitting some homers but the batting average has been a big surprise. Gregg Zaun has also had a solid season as he has played in 50 games for the Blue Jays this year and he is 39 for 151 (.258 avg, .766 OPS) with 19 runs scored, 5 homers and 16 RBIs. Look for these guys to have a pretty even split in playing time unless one of them starts really swinging a hot bat.

Matt Stairs may be 40 years old but he still swings a good lefty stick for the Blue Jays. Stairs has played in 56 games for the Blue Jays this season and he is 46 for 176 (.261 avg, .750 OPS) with 26 runs scored, 7 homers and 23 RBIs. Look for the Blue Jays to keep giving Stairs a lot of at bats as a DH against righty starting pitchers. As long as his body holds up, Stairs should have a productive season for the Jays.

Matt Stairs is off to a really good start to the 2008 season and that was a big part of the reason that the Blue Jays cut Frank Thomas. Stairs has played in 27 games for the Blue Jays this season and he is 27 for 88 (.307 avg, .824 OPS) with 14 runs scored, 4 homers and 9 RBIs. Look for Stairs to pretty much be a full time DH for the Blue Jays as long as he keeps swinging a hot bat like he is right now.

2B Aaron Hill is rewarding the Blue Jays faith in him as he is off to an outstanding start to the 2008 season. The Jays locked him up in the off-season to a pretty nice long term contract. Hill has played in 19 games this season and he is 24 for 74 (.324 avg, .864 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 2 homers, 13 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. The Blue Jays have moved Hill up to the #2 spot in the order and he will be perfect for the job.