The Blue Jays thought they were going to enter the 2008 season with just one major loss from spring training -- right-hander Casey Janssen, who will miss the entire season after undergoing surgery for a torn labrum in mid-March. But then they got some equally bad news over the weekend.
Third baseman Scott Rolen broke his finger in a fielding drill and will be out four to five weeks. Utility infielder Marco Scutaro will take over at third base in Rolen's absence.
The other injury news was positive.
Closer B.J. Ryan is ahead of schedule in his recovery from Tommy John surgery performed last May but will not be with the team on Opening Day. He is suffering no problems with his elbow, and his lone setback during spring training was when he experienced tightness in his forearm and had to be shut down for a few days. If all goes well, Ryan should be back with the Jays by the end of April.
The everyday players who suffered injuries in 2007, mainly center fielder Vernon Wells and first baseman Lyle Overbay, say they are healthy and feeling no residual effects.
The Jays, looking for all the offense they can muster, awarded the right-handed hitting platoon role in left field to veteran Shannon Stewart over incumbent Reed Johnson, who was released. Johnson appears to be completely recovered from back surgery that all but scuttled his 2007 season, but the Jays went for Stewart's more powerful bat.
To contend, the Jays need to stay injury free this year and get bounce-back seasons from Wells and Overbay. They also need more production from DH Frank Thomas, especially in the first half of the season -- and especially with Rolen out of the lineup.
The Jays lost power at third base when they traded Troy Glaus to St. Louis for Rolen. When Rolen returns, they expect him to provide leadership, better defense and more productive situational hitting.
The Jays also brought shortstop David Eckstein on board to bat leadoff and provide an offensive spark.
Their rotation, topped by right-hander Roy Halladay is solid, as is their bullpen, which should get a major boost at the end of April with the expected return of Ryan.
The Jays feel good about their chances this year, but they have so little depth, they will have to remain injury free if they are to contend. They're hoping Rolen's injury is not a portent of things to come.
PRIMED FOR A BIG SEASON RHP Dustin McGowan has the best pure stuff on a rotation that includes Roy Halladay and A.J. Burnett. He was 12-10 in 27 starts in 2007 but has the ability to record 15-plus wins out of the No. 3 spot in the rotation.
ON THE DECLINE DH Frank Thomas dropped to 26 home runs in 2007 after hitting 39 in 2006 even though he played half the time in the homer-friendly Rogers Centre. Thomas, who turns 40 on May 27, is being counted on to supply home run power, especially after the Jays traded Troy Glaus to St. Louis for Scott Rolen.
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just watching a depressing doubleheader, where the Blue Jays have already wasted a good outing from burnett, and was noticing how the jays have only scored one run in close to forty innings and none in almost thirty.
I am a Cubs fan ( I know, 100 years and counting). Why did the Blue Jays get rid of Reed Johnson? From an outsider looking in I was suprised when they did that. His average has dipped
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By Lawrence Barreca. Sixs weeks have now gone by and the races in each division seem to get tighter with each game. This is due to outstanding production from some surprise players this season. Below are my Week 7 "Hot" Waiver Wire Pickups:
Just saw on Fox that he broke his wrist making that diving catch last night. Tough break Jays fans (no pun intended). Hope for your sake he has a speedy recovery.
i was just roaming through the MLB stats, and as u guys didnt know already are pitchnig has been A+, while the hitting D-. Toronto is 2nd in MLB in SO, 4th in ERA, and the 3rd lowest avg. in the bizz. as far as pithcing goes. Hitting on the other hand yikes!!!! 5th last in slugging %, and 4th last in actual runs! We have half as many homeruns as the leader
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It amazes me how bad a manager can handle a staff. Can anyone logically explain how Carlson can throw 2, that's right 2 pitches and the be removed for Ryan. And then have Ryan come in for a non-situation and throw 1 inning. I thought they were going to be careful with Ryan?
He went through pitchers last night, like Brittany Spears goes through therapists.
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The trouble is, we all know there were about 6 or 7 games last year that Frank Thomas and previous years that Reed Johnson, won pretty much all by themselves. I notice in the press no one is looking at the numbers and game winning performances of those players a
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Will be known as a genius if he got rid of the big dirt Frank Thomas to open a spot for the greatest living baseball player of all time, Barry Lamar Bonds,
If the Bluejays pick up Barry, they become the 2nd best team in the AL easy with a legit shot to run down the redsox. I say sign him, he makes everyone around
By Lawrence Barreca. Well, it's that time of the week again. New players seem to arise with each game that they play, and now the young pitching is beginning to mature. Here are my "Hot" Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 6:
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