Rolen benefiting from reduction in playing time

Blue Jays third basemen Scott Rolen is quietly having a production year at the plate, even if his power numbers aren't where they used to be. Last season he struggled to find a consistent swing having battled shoulder injuries. This year, however, he's provided a boost to the Jays offense and is benefiting from a reduction in playing time.

Manager Cito Gaston has made it a point to rest the 34 year old Rolen on matinee games following a night contest. This season, Rolen has appeared in just 51 of the first 61 games to date. Rolen was held out of the game Saturday afternoon, and experienced tightness in his back Sunday, so as a precautionary measure, the team opted to leave him out of the lineup.

Rolen will never be the prodigious power hitter he once was in the late 90's to the mid 2000's, as he has just 3 homers and 19 RBI this campaign. However, the Jays are casting him correctly, making sure he doesn't aggravate his past injuries to maximize the production out of him. It appears to be paying off, as Rolen is hitting for a solid .314 average, including a scorching 6 for 8 clip in the two games against the Rangers following his 2 day break.

The crafty vet's still got game.