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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