The Blue Jays have activated Corey Dickerson from the 10-day IL, per a team announcement. He will swap places with Cavan Biggio, who is going on the 10-day IL with “mid-back tightness.”
This will be Dickerson’s first action for the Jays, having been acquired from the Marlins in a trade while on the injured list. He went on the IL June 15th with a foot contusion and was then traded to the Jays two weeks later, alongside reliever Adam Cimber. He will now join a crowded outfield/DH mix alongside George Springer, Teoscar Hernandez, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Randal Grichuk. Dickerson is the only lefty of the bunch, which could give him something of an edge in terms of getting playing time. He doesn’t have a noticeable platoon split this season (wRC+ of 92 vs. lefties and 98 vs. righties) but it shows up more in his career numbers (wRC+ of 122 and 89). Grichuk and Gurriel seem the likeliest candidates to lose playing time, with each hitting below the league average on the season. Grichuk’s wRC+ is 96 on the year and Gurriel’s is 89. But neither has a jarring platoon split in their career numbers.
For Biggio, this is the second time he’ll head to the IL this year with a back issue. On May 22nd, he was sidelined with a “cervical spine ligament sprain” and missed about three weeks. It’s possible this lingering injury is contributing to his mediocre season at the plate. His wRC+ of 83 is a steep drop-off from his 114 and 124 in 2019 and 2020. In his absence, the club will likely turn to a combination of Santiago Espinal and Breyvic Valera at third base.
Dickerson is wearing my little league number. He must know there’s some lucky bombs in that number.
Hard to justify Biggio getting playing time over Espinal at this point anyways.
Hard to justify keeping Kevin Smith in triple a.
I agree about Smith his numbers justify at least a look especially since they don’t really have a great option behind the dish. Even Jansen’s numbers were trash when he was healthy. McGuire’s numbers are okay but not good enough to keep from calling up Smith in my opinion.
Am I missing something ? Smith is an infielder is he not?
Wrong Kevin Smith. Kevin Smith in this case is an infielder.
Mystery team strikes out agaun
I agree with you but in fairness to Biggio it is hard to expect the young man to be consistent when he is constantly being told a different story. He was suppose to be the second baseman (when he came up) with a scattered move around to fill in in certain situations but its more of show up and see where and if you are somewhere. Ironically they did not want Vlad Jr. to move around (1st to 3rd) in fear of it upsetting his offense however they have no regard for what it would do to Biggio.
Not much you can do about it, though. It’s not like Biggio has a clear spot on the roster and he’s a grownup – he’s 26 and grew up in the spotlight, not some 19 year old kid. He should be able to manage position changes without affecting his hitting. I think this is just who he is.
A neck issue and now a back issue can’t be helping. This might not be his year.
Playing 3B at the ML level takes a special talent.
Vlad’s batting took a bit of hit while he was learning new position. And even when he was trying to master 3B, it seems to have taken away some of his hitting focus.
Riley and Bohm had their teams worried about their long term futures at 3B for a bit at first, but both seem to be settling in nicely after some time to settle.
Biggio was thrown in over his head, but I don’t think anyone figured he would have trouble swimming. Seemed pretty capable at anything thrown at him. Might’ve figured it out, but the nagging injuries are a curveball that most can’t hit. Had a bit of rhythm forming just before ASB.
As long as he can get healthy again, he can be a valuable lefty utility bat, or luck into a regular role at his more natural 2B position. Can’t imagine he’ll ever complain or resist doing whatever the team asks of him.
The guy was playing multiple positions his entire time in mlb and now people come up with these ridiculous narratives like he’s struggling because he’s switch positions…
He’s likely battling a injury. Given the jays have like zero left handed hitters he’ll get plenty of chances in the future.
Fair, just one factor I wanted to point out but I agree the injuries likely the larger factor. Even if it’s just a nagging issue, any little thing can mess up a guy’s swing.
The point about being lefty is also very huge!
Valera still getting shots with Biggio out says the team really likes having lefty options in there!
I should have emphasized more that I feel 3B is a different beast. Special talent required.
A natural 2B can learn 1B or OF positions a bit easier than they can learn 3B in my opinion.
Hope Cavan gets better soon. I feel like he’s been playing through this all year and hopefully a stint will get him on the right track
I like a healthy Palacios instead of Dickerson. Whether injury or poor play, Dickerson and Valera are not the answer. Other than those two, I like hat Shapiro and Atkins have done at the deadline.
Palacios is a 26 year old who never even did anything of note in the minors. Dickerson isn’t much, but he’s more than that.
Palacios is not healthy. Purely hypothetical.
I like a healthy Pearson instead of Matz.
The Dodgers like a healthy May instead of Hamels.
Reality happens.
I like scouts who scout more than just a small sample size in mlb. Otherwise guys like mike trout wouldn’t have got another chance in mlb among several other HOF players.
Dickerson will go back on the DL when it’s time for Biggio to be reactivated. Get ready for that joy, Jays fans.
I don’t think the possibility of our 5th outfielder going back on the IL will register as a concern for many.
Suddenly the top lefty bat around.
Dickerson/McGuire/Valera.
If he can last until Biggio returns would be nice.
If they can both be active same time would be quite nice.