The Blue Jays sent starting left fielder Eric Thames to the minors after a slow start to the season, while calling up utility infielder Mike McCoy to help shore up the team's middle infield.
Thames, 25, was hitting just .243/.288/.365 with three homers in 46 games, starting 38 of the team's 49 games.
While Thames has been struggling at the plate, the team's middle infielders have struggled to stay on the field. Both second baseman Kelly Johnson and shortstop Yunel Escobar have been sidelined by injuries. Johnson returned to the lineup on Monday after missing two games with a sore hamstring, and Escobar left Sunday's game with a groin injury and didn't play Monday. With both middle infielders hurt, 45-year-old Omar Vizquel played in four straight games for the first time this season. He's played in 10 of the team's last 14 games after playing in just eight of the team's first 35 games.
McCoy, 31, played in 80 games for the Blue Jays last season, hitting .198/.291/.269 with two homers. At Triple-A Las Vegas, McCoy was hitting .238/.381/.294 with one home run. This season he's played five different positions -- second base, third base, shortstop, left field and center field. He's played every position in the majors except for first base and catcher, including pitching a hitless inning last season for Toronto.
