Russell Martin to make 1st career start at SS
Ahead of Saturday's interleague game against the Philadelphia Phillies, the Toronto Blue Jays have tabbed Russell Martin to make his first career start at shortstop.
.@russellmartin55 makes his 1st career start at shortstop as we go for the series win. https://t.co/ym3l54N3DI pic.twitter.com/p1AtOdSDwp
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 26, 2018
The 35-year-old catcher has made one previous appearance at short over his 13-year career and it happened this season when he filled in for one inning of a blowout loss against the New York Mets in mid-May.
Last player 35 yrs of age or older to make first start at SS was Milwaukee's Jeff Cirillo on June 5, 2006 vs San Diego (36 yr, 255 days)...Oldest to do so was Eric Young for Texas on Aug. 3, 2004 at 37 yrs, 77 days old - courtesy Stats Inc.
— Blue Jays PR (@BlueJaysPR) May 26, 2018
The Blue Jays rank 29th in MLB among production at shortstop by FanGraphs' WAR, costing the team half of one win. By FanGraphs' wRC+, Blue Jays shortstops are hitting 43 percent worse than the league average - only better than the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers.
With Troy Tulowitzki still shelved on the 60-day disabled list, the Blue Jays have called upon five players aside from Martin to make starts at shortstop this season. Aledmys Diaz is currently on the 10-day DL, while Lourdes Gurriel, Richard Urena, and Gift Ngoepe are all currently in the minors.
Toronto's everyday starting shortstop, Giovanny Urshela, will open Saturday's contest at Citizens Bank Park on the bench.
Through 34 games this season, Martin owns a .157/.287/.322 slash line with five home runs.