Munenori Kawasaki, R.A. Dickey, and the bullpen dominate headlines for Blue Jays this week

The Toronto Blue Jays' loss to Boston on Friday pulled them a game below .500, but they're in a decidedly better position to make a second half push than they were at the beginning of June. Even though Toronto hasn't been as successful on the field as anticipated it's impossible to dismiss this season as uninteresting and this week has been no different. Here are three items of note from the Blue Jays this week.

Munenori Kawasaki - not gone for long

On Tuesday night, fan favourite Munenori Kawasaki was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo after filling in admirably for the injured Jose Reyes. The reaction from many fans was predictably negative even though an outgoing Kawasaki meant the return of multi-time All-Star Reyes.

Over two months and 60 games, Kawasaki endeared himself to Blue Jays fans base thanks to his exuberant personality and scrappy play. He was at the centre of a few memorable of feel-good moments (even though I'm skeptical that has a significant effect on team performance and shouldn't have played a factor in the decision to demote him).

On Thursday, Melky Cabrera was placed on the 15-day DL with left knee tendinitis opening a roster spot and the front office decided to recall Kawasaki.

Here are the goods on Kawasaki. While his positive attitude might not have any direct impact on his teammates performance, he does provide value with solid middle infield defence and excellent plate discipline, the latter demonstrated by his .337 OBP despite an unspectacular .225 batting average. Those are characteristics of an ideal backup infielder, a role Kawasaki will fill adequately for the time he remains with the big club.

R.A. Dickey's encouraging increase in velocity

R.A. Dickey's first three months with the Blue Jays have been largely disappointing. The 2012 NL Cy Young has had a few standout moments but for the most part it's been a frustrating ordeal for the knuckleballer expected to produce like the ace of last season.

On Wednesday against the Rays, Dickey delivered his best outing of 2013, throwing a two-hit complete game shutout and walking just one.

It was more than Dickey's final line that should inspire hope for improved future performance. There was a noticeable increase in his knuckleball velocity. It seems bizarre that velocity would be important for a pitch that is effective because of its lack of speed or spin but there appears to be a direct link between Dickey's performances and his ability to generate elevated velocity with his knuckleball.

Dickey has cited nagging injuries (neck and back) as a cause for the decreased velocity. If his start against Tampa Bay is an indication that he's feeling better physically, expect the power knuckler to return with a vengeance.

Bullpen's historic month

With two games left in June, Blue Jays relievers have combined for a 1.01 ERA over 80 and one-third innings. It stands to be the best month ever for a Toronto bullpen, besting the 1.50 September ERA of the 1992 relief corps, and one of the best months in the history of baseball.

The Jays 'pen has been exceptional this year, a source of consistency in an otherwise inconsistent season, which is just another example that bullpen performances are inherently unpredictable.