Big Hurt furious over benching

TORONTO -- Blue Jays designated hitter Frank Thomas was livid Saturday after getting benched in favor of Matt Stairs and being told by manager John Gibbons he can expect further cuts to his playing time.

Thomas did not shake hands with his teammates following Toronto's 3-2 victory over Detroit on Saturday and left the clubhouse without speaking to reporters.

"I'm angry, I know I can help this team. My career isn't going to end like this," he said before the game.

The 39-year-old Thomas is hitless in his past 13 at-bats and has gone 4-for-35 since homering in three straight games April 5-8. He has 516 home runs, putting him 18th on baseball's career list.

Thomas signed a two-year, $18 million contract with Toronto in November 2006. The deal includes a $10 million option for 2009, but only if Thomas makes 376 plate appearances this season.

Thomas is batting .167 with 3 homers and 11 RBI in 60 at-bats. He said the Blue Jays are cutting his playing time to prevent the option from kicking in.

"It's pretty obvious," Thomas said. "Sixty at-bats isn't enough to make that decision."

Gibbons would not specify how frequently he planned to use Thomas.

"I'm going to put the team out there that gives us the best chance to win," Gibbons said. "I feel for the guy, but right now we need more production."

General manager J.P. Ricciardi denied that Thomas' contract factored into the move.

Thomas batted .277 for Toronto last season, leading the team with 26 home runs and 95 RBI.