Longshot
Registered User
would they though? I mean you kinda want to keep a backup catcher option. You PH him and then he goes out of the game Martin gets hurt you're in trouble. Does Donaldson catch then?
And it's not like he's such a great hitter you take that chance. I think you might just toss your best pitcher hitter up there and save Thole.
I can't imagine a manager would choose to have a pitcher hit in a tie game in extra innings when he has a regular batter on the bench. Even if that player is Thole.
And yes, if Martin was hurt and Thole was out of the game, Donaldson would catch. In that case they would have two pitchers in the line up, because a pitcher would have to come into the game and play right field or 1B (assuming Bautista or EE go to third).