Blue Jays catcher Navarro replaces Martin in starting lineup for series opener

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin was not in the starting lineup for the opener of a key three-game series against the Boston Red Sox on Friday night.

The veteran catcher is nursing a nagging left knee injury that he aggravated on Wednesday in New York. Blue Jays manager John Gibbons decided to give Martin another day off to rest.

“He’s still pretty sore,” Gibbons said in a pre-game media availability at Rogers Centre. “We’ll see. We’ll just check each day.”

Dioner Navarro replaced Martin behind the plate. The switch-hitter was slotted sixth in the batting order against Boston right-hander Rick Porcello.

Martin, a Toronto native who grew up in Montreal, was still available to come off the bench if needed.

Gibbons added the timing works well since the turnaround would have been tough for back-to-back appearances with a day game following the night game.

In addition, Boston left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez will get the start Saturday which should be a better matchup for Martin, who bats right-handed.

“We’ll see,” Gibbons said. “We’ll see if he’s ready tomorrow.”

Navarro replaced Martin in the ninth inning of the 2-0 loss to the Yankees. The Blue Jays’ fifth defeat in six games left them in second place in the American League East.

“Lately we’ve just hit that little lull,” Gibbons said. “That’s part of it, you deal with it. I think we’re due to heat up though.

“No doubt in my mind.”

Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista batted fourth again Friday after making his first cleanup appearance this season on Wednesday. He went 1-for-4 in the No. 4 position after moving down from the leadoff spot.

Second baseman Devon Travis was given the leadoff assignment with sluggers Josh Donaldson and Edwin Encarnacion behind him.

“I like the look of it,” Gibbons said. “We’ll see how the results play out. You know I’m stubborn. Stubborn or maybe you should say stable. That might be a better description.”

Entering play Friday, four teams were separated by just four games in the tightest divisional race in the major leagues.

Boston was one game up on Toronto, two games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles and four games up on the New York Yankees.

The Orioles were in Detroit on Friday night while the Yankees welcomed the Tampa Bay Rays.

Right-hander Marco Estrada got the start for the Blue Jays on Friday. Left-hander J.A. Happ is on tap Saturday and Aaron Sanchez is scheduled to start Sunday against fellow right-hander Clay Buchholz.

The Blue Jays have yet to finalize their starters for the three-game series against the Rays starting Monday. Gibbons said there’s a chance that left-hander Francisco Liriano could get the nod for the opener.

The Red Sox and Blue Jays will cap the regular season with a three-game series at Fenway Park starting Sept. 30.

———

Follow @GregoryStrongCP on Twitter.