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Who will hit leadoff when Springer returns is a good problem for Blue Jays manager Montoyo

But not an easy choice with Semien playing at all-star level

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There have been far more pressing problems for Charlie Montoyo on many nights through the first third of the Blue Jays season.

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The health of the bullpen, the revolving door of his team’s starting rotation and the business of holding a team together through a tough schedule, injuries and playing home games in minor league ballparks are a few that come to mind,

But there is at least one looming issue that puts a smile on the manager’s face. One of these days, George Springer will be dispatched for a rehab assignment leading to his long-awaited return to the Jays to pick up on the brief four-game cameo he enjoyed back in April.

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This “problem” is a good one, however: Where will the team slot Springer in the Jays’ power-packed batting order?

Does he immediately assume the leadoff position that Montoyo had pencilled for him from the moment Springer signed his six-year, $150-million U.S. contract in the off-season?

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Maybe. But given that the man currently occupying the spot, Marcus Semien, has freshly been named the American League’s player of the month for May and is putting up career numbers at the top of the order, the call isn’t as simple as it was in spring training.

And when whatever shuffle that has to happen is completed, does Vlad Guerrero Jr. remain in the top three, a spot where he’s had such great success and Teoscar Hernandez stay at cleanup, a spot he’s flourished in since last year?

Has Montoyo pondered the possibilities? You bet he has.

“Yes I have, I’ve been thinking about it,” Montoyo said when asked about the looming conundrum. “We’ll see. Semien has been outstanding as a leadoff hitter. That conversation is going to come up and we’ll see where we go from here.”

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Whatever Montoyo and his staff decide, there will be second guessers because the majority of those who follow the team fancy themselves as armchair Charlies.

On one hand, the real manager will be second guessed, no matter what way he goes. On the other, how can he lose?

Both Semien and Springer are accomplished leadoff men, spending much of their careers at the top of the lineup. But when the Jays signed Springer to the big deal, it was considered automatic that he’d lead off, given he won a 2017 World Series MVP title occupying that spot with the Houston Astros.

What Semien did in May, however, was too massive to ignore. During the hot run, which provided nice early returns on his one-year $18-million deal, Semien led the majors in hits (42), extra-base hits (21) and total bases (80).

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The front end of the Jays lineup is already impressive when you go from Semien to Bo Bichette to Vlad Guerrero Jr. to Hernandez, who Montoyo has fancied as his cleanup man from the start. Options, it would seem, are plenty.

The manager isn’t worried in the slightest, however and no doubt enthused over the options. And for now, anyway, he isn’t worried about offending either of his leadoff candidates.

“That’s the good thing about Springer,” Montoyo said. “When I first talked to him about it, (he said) he doesn’t mind hitting anywhere in the lineup. I’m sure Semien is the same way, but he’s having a lot of success as the leadoff hitter.”

The Springer return isn’t imminent — but it’s coming. And the fact that he’s been around the team throughout his rehab work from a quad injury has only heightened the anticipation among his teammates.

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“I’m sure everybody’s thought about it,” said Bichette, who figures to remain in the on-deck circle behind whoever gets the assignment. “He’s a really great player. He’s done a lot of good things in the game.

“Right now we’re focussed on being the best lineup we can be without him. I’m sure it will be pretty fun when he gets in here.”

So where would Bichette write Springer’s name on a lineup card?

“Not my job,” he said with a grin.

FANDEMONIUM

Anyone who has spent time watching live professional sports in Buffalo is aware that fans there are as knowledgeable and passionate as in any market in North America. Just two games in to this year’s residency at Sahlen Field, the Jays are getting a good look and benefitting from the experience.

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Despite the late-game downpour in Wednesday’s 6-5 comeback win over the Florida Marlins, a crowd of 5,385 was loud in the right places, encouragement that didn’t go unnoticed by the players.

“Playing in Dunedin, it was a little draining at times,” Bichette said. “When you’re home, you can normally feed off the crowd and get a little bit of a home-field advantage. We didn’t have that.”

“(On Wednesday) having people cheering for us in the ninth inning played a huge part for us.”

AROUND THE BASES

After Thursday’s off day, the Jays begin a stout stretch of the schedule with 13 games against teams currently in a playoff position. Ace starter Hyun-Jin Ryu will get it started with the first of three against the Astros on Friday to conclude the first Buffalo homestead of the season … With a 2-0 start in Buffalo, the Jays are now 19-9 all time at Sahlen Field and with the sweep over the Marlins are now a dominant 11-2 against NL opponents, the most interleave wins in MLB this season … Little known Guerrero triple fact: His three-bagger on Wednesday was the fifth of his career. Bichette’s ninth-inning triple, which drove in a pair, was just his second.

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