Pinder is well-positioned

With one play Tuesday night, Chad Pinder showed why he has become the A’s de facto utility man.

Pinder got a crucial assist on his one-hop spin throw from right field, nailing Toronto’s Kevin Pillar trying to stretch a single with the game tied 1-1 in the fifth.

“That play right there is something we work on every day when we’re getting reads in the outfield,” Pinder said Wednesday. “I didn’t do too much swinging the bat yesterday. It’s nice to make a couple of defensive plays to contribute to the win.”

Pinder was 0-4 with three strikeouts Tuesday, and Wednesday went 0-for-2 with a sacrifice fly. He’s 6-for-39 in his past 12 games.

But since his April 16 callup from Triple-A Nashville, the 25-year-old has been penciled in at five different positions in 25 starts: eight at shortstop, seven as the designated hitter, six at second base, three in right and one in left.

“He has given himself an opportunity to get into the lineup, really wherever,” manager Bob Melvin said, “Whether it’s second, whether it’s short, whether it’s left, whether it’s right. He has done a nice job at all those positions.” Semien swinging: Shortstop Marcus Semien took swings off a tee in the batting cage for the first time since his wrist surgery and also fielded grounders. He’ll eventually take on-field swings in a batting-practice format, at which time there will be a better gauge of his timetable.

“There’s no definitive return date,” Semien said. “I just started swinging a bat and throwing. I’m trying to get my strength back. Of course, I want to be taking BP and playing the game every day. That’s what I’m working toward. The closer you get to that, the more excited you get.” Briefly: Right fielder Matt Joyce (quadriceps) was out of the lineup. Khris Davis (calf ) was the designated hitter for the second straight day. First baseman Yonder Alonso also was out of the lineup — the Blue Jays started a tough lefty (Francisco Liriano), and Alonso’s wrist ailment late last month still is being monitored.