DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Curtis Granderson was in the leadoff spot for Toronto's first game of the spring on Friday, but -- despite his leadoff homer against the Phillies' Nick Pivetta -- it doesn't sound like he's a realistic candidate to hit there during the regular season.
Blue Jays manager John Gibbons had a pretty simple explanation for Granderson's spot in the order for the Grapefruit League opener: He wanted his starting left fielder to be guaranteed a couple of at-bats.
"The thinking was, he might get those two at-bats a little bit quicker, and he has done it before," said Gibbons, who was then asked about potential leadoff candidates.