Gibbons: 'No chance' struggling Bautista asks to move down lineup

The Toronto Blue Jays haven't generated much offense on their way to a league-worst 3-11 record. One of the primary culprits has been outfielder Jose Bautista, who remains without a home run through 14 games - the longest homerless drought to start a season in his Blue Jays career.

The slugger has remained a mainstay near the top of the order, though, batting in either the second or third spot in every game this season despite a .118/.258/.157 slash line.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Bautista hasn't - and won't - ask to be moved lower in the batting order.

"No chance," Gibbons said about a potential request, according to Sportsnet's Mike Wilner. "And I'd be disappointed if he did."

Bautista is penciled in to hit second Thursday afternoon with Boston Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale facing him on the mound. He's 1-for-7 for his career against the southpaw, and has gone 0-for-7 in the series.

"We're going to play it out longer," Gibbons said. "If we're going to do anything, we need him to have a big year."