Bautista batting leadoff for 1st time since 2010

Jose Bautista is hitting atop the Toronto Blue Jays batting order as the club tries to shake off its offensive funk.

Although this may come as a shock to members outside the clubhouse, it appears as though this was a plan that is just now being executed.

According to the Toronto Star's Mark Zwolinski, Bautista said he, Edwin Encarnacion, Josh Donaldson, and Troy Tulowitzki approached manager John Gibbons about a lineup switch.

The leadership group suggested several changes, and one of them was the new lineup set for Thursday, slotting Bautista in the No. 1 slot for the first time since 2010.

Over their last 10 games, the Blue Jays are 3-7 and sliding down to the cellar of the American League East.