TORONTO — The day 1B James Loney strained his oblique was the day the Rays began looking at Rene Rivera as more than a catcher.
Knowing they had back-to-back games against lefty starters Tuesday and tonight, the wheels began turning among the team’s brain trust on how to get an all-right-handed lineup against Blue Jays LHP Daniel Norris on Tuesday and still give SS Asdrubal Cabrera a DH day to rest his legs.
“It’s a little tricky,” manager Kevin Cash said, “but we knew we were short an infielder now.”
The answer was Rivera, who said he started 10 to 15 games at first base while playing winter ball this past offseason.