Arencibia back after missing three games

TORONTO -- J.P. Arencibia returned to the Blue Jays' lineup for the first time since dealing with bursitis in his right knee.

Arencibia hit ninth and took his usual position behind the plate for the club's second of a four-game set against the Athletics on Saturday. He went 0-for-3 in Toronto's 5-4 win.

"Good enough to play," manager John Gibbons said. "It goes with the territory. They get beat up back there."

The 27-year-old catcher hadn't started in four games while nursing the injury, and it was feared he might be forced to go on the 15-day disabled list.

Arencibia had been dealing with the injury for a good portion of the season, with rest being the only prescription.

"The only thing for that to go away is rest. Obviously I don't have time for that," Arencibia said. "It was really tough for me the other day to [not play]. But when I know I can't even go down to block the ball, I knew I was hurting, not only myself, but the team.

"Catching every day I think makes it tougher. Not that I don't want to play anymore. I want to still play every day, and be out there as much as I can. I just know that's something I have to deal with the rest of the season."

With the injury likely to be a nagging issue the remainder of the season, it's possible Josh Thole could see more starts behind the plate.

Thole caught all four games during Arencibia's absence. However, Gibbons said it was too early to discuss the amount of time sharing that may be relied upon for the remainder of the season.

"We have no way of knowing," Gibbons said. "We'll see how he feels today and go from there."