Gose gets chance with Rasmus injured

ARLINGTON -- An injury to Colby Rasmus has opened the door for Anthony Gose to prove he still has a bright future with the Blue Jays' organization.

Gose was handed the starting duties in center field when Colby Rasmus was placed on the 15-day disabled list earlier this week with a strained right hamstring. He's expected to receive regular playing time and so far his impact has been felt in the lineup.

"The games he has played since he has been up, he's contributed something good in every one of those games," Gibbons said. "He's on a mission, he wants to stay. He's always felt like he belongs in the big leagues and now he's showing it. He can do a lot of things that most guys can't do out there."

Gose possesses game-changing speed on the basepaths and Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field. The only question mark surrounding his ability to succeed at the next level is his offense. The 23-year-old is a career .241 hitter with a .303 on-base percentage in 113 games in the Major Leagues.

Those numbers will have to improve if Gose is going to make a case that he should be a starting outfielder in 2014. There could be a pair of openings on the Blue Jays' roster with both Rasmus and left fielder Melky Cabrera headed for free agency at the end of the season.

"The thing is, he has to find ways to get on base," Gibbons said. "If he doesn't hit a lot, or if he just holds his own, he has to get some walks too and things like that because his game is scoring runs.

"There are growing pains when you get to the big leagues at a young age because the pitching is pretty good. Like last night ... [Gose] lays down that nice bunt and gets that thing going. That's part of his game, he has to do that."