The Blue Jays' mantra throughout spring training was to stay healthy, and they appeared to have achieved their goal, for the most part, until 3B Scott Rolen went down with a broken finger. A more long-lasting injury was suffered by RHP Casey Janssen, who was battling for a spot in the rotation after a fine 2007 season in the bullpen. Janssen suffered a torn labrum in mid-March, underwent surgery and will be gone for the season. Shannon Stewart won the right-handed hitting platoon spot in left field, beating out incumbent Reed Johnson, who was released. New additions to the starting lineup are Stewart, Rolen (when he returns) and SS David Eckstein. LHP B.J. Ryan, recovering from Tommy John surgery, is throwing every third day and building arm strength and should be able to join the Jays no later than the end of April.

ROTATION:

1. RHP Roy Halladay

2. RHP A.J. Burnett

3. RHP Dustin McGowan

4. RHP Shaun Marcum

5. RHP Jesse Litsch

The Jays believe they have one of the better rotations in the league anchored by their ace Roy Halladay. McGowan and Marcum made major strides in 2007 when elevated into the rotation because of injuries. The big surprise of 2007, though, was Litsch, who made the jump from Class AA and responded by going 7-9 with a 3.81 ERA in 20 starts. The rotation, though, has no proven support in the case of injury.

BULLPEN:

RHP Jeremy Accardo (closer)

LHP Scott Downs

RHP Brandon League

RHP Jason Frasor

LHP Brian Tallet

RHP Randy Wells

RHP Brian Wolfe

The Jays will open the season with closer LHP B.J. Ryan at extended spring training. Ryan will be held back to build up arm strength as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. As a result, the closer role will once again fall to Accardo, who last year was 30-for-35 in save situations after replacing Ryan.

RHP Casey Janssen, a main cog in the bullpen last year as he earned 24 holds and six saves in his 70 appearances, is gone for the season after undergoing surgery for a torn labrum. His setup role will be filled by RHP Brandon League, who missed most of 2007 because of muscle problems in the back of his shoulder.

LINEUP:

1. SS David Eckstein

2. RF Alex Rios

3. CF Vernon Wells

4. DH Frank Thomas

5. LF Matt Stairs/Shannon Stewart

6. 1B Lyle Overbay

7. 2B Aaron Hill

8. C Gregg Zaun/Rod Barajas

9. 3B Marco Scutaro

General manager J.P. Ricciardi thinks his lineup will be as deep as those of the Yankees and Red Sox once 3B Scott Rolen recovers from his broken finger, but Ricciardi concedes that the Jays don't have the power that those two clubs have in the No. 3 and No. 4 positions. The Jays have just two players -- CF Vernon Wells and DH Frank Thomas -- who have a shot at hitting 30-plus home runs.

RESERVES:

LF Shannon Stewart

OF Buck Coats

INF John McDonald

C Rod Barajas

Stewart, who bats right, will be a part of the left field platoon with left-handed hitting Matt Stairs. He will also be used against certain right-handed pitchers. Once Rolen returns, Scutaro will be available to play all of the infield positions and in a pinch can also be used as a corner outfielder. Barajas, who bats right, will be part of a platoon with the switch-hitting Gregg Zaun. Zaun will bat left and face right-handers. McDonald will spell David Eckstein at short and might be used as a late inning defensive replacement.

ROOKIE WATCH: RHP Randy Wells, a Rule 5 draft pick from the Chicago Cubs, will open the season in the bullpen. Wells has impressed the Jays with his poise and his ability to throw strikes and attack the hitter. Wells is the lone rookie on the roster.

MEDICAL WATCH:

3B Scott Rolen (fractured finger) was injured in a fielding drill and will be out until late April or early May.

LHP B.J. Ryan (Tommy John surgery) isn't expected to be with the club at the start of the season.

RHP Casey Jannsen (torn labrum in right shoulder) was placed on the 60-day disabled list March 17. He had season-ending surgery March 18.

LHP Gustavo Chacin (shoulder surgery) is still recovering and will open the season at Class AAA Syracuse.

C Gregg Zaun (right calf tightness) has been out since March 20. He is day-to-day.

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