Rain delays Thames’ debut in majors

DETROIT -- Eric Thames was ready to start his major league career Tuesday at Comerica Park.

Thanks to another miserable spring night in Michigan, the Toronto Blue Jays prospect is going to have to wait.

Thames, who was called up from the 51s after Toronto's 4-2 victory over the Tigers on Monday, was written into the Blue Jays' starting lineup as their designated hitter. The game, though, was postponed after a two-hour rain delay and was rescheduled for June 27.

The 24-year-old outfielder, who spent much of the delay on the field signing autographs, won't have to wait nearly that long to start his career, though.

"It is important that, when you bring a young guy up, you get him work," Toronto manager John Farrell said. "You don't want to have him up here just to sit around."

Farrell said, as a left-handed batter, Thames will see time at designated hitter and left field in Toronto's righty-heavy lineup.

"Eric earned this spot by his performance in Triple A, but we can also use a lefty in our lineup," Farrell said.

Thames was hitting .342 at Las Vegas, with six home runs and 30 RBIs in 36 games, after a strong showing in spring training.

"I pride myself on my hitting, and I work very hard on it," said Thames, who was named team Most Valuable Player at Double-A New Hampshire last season after batting .288 with 27 homers and 104 RBIs. "I listened to the veterans in spring training, I applied what they told me, and so far, it has been working in my favor."

Thames has big shoes to fill, having been called up when first baseman Adam Lind went on the disabled list because of a back injury. Lind, who has been out since May 8, is hitting .313 in 32 games, and his 27 RBIs are tied for the team lead with Jose Bautista. He had hoped to return to the Toronto lineup in Detroit but sustained a setback Monday and was placed on the disabled list.

"He was taking batting practice, and it tightened up on him again," Farrell said. "We're going to send him down to Florida to our extended spring camp and let him work this out."

Toronto's offense has kept going without Lind, averaging seven runs in a six-game winning streak.