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Friday, July 3, 2009 12:10 PM
Dellucci gets the call
The thing about riding the amazing New York subway system that I've learned over the years is never look puzzled.
It's a sure sign for pan-handlers to zero in.
As I was studying the map at Times Square trying to figure out how to navigate my way to Yankee Stadium this morning, a friendly gent ambled over and asked if I needed assistance.
I told him Yankee Stadium was my destination and he kindly pointed me in the right direction.
Then he hit me up for a couple of bucks.
I was thinking about asking him for a receipt so I could expense it, but thought better of it.
The new Yankee Stadium looks a lot like the old one to me -- except the press box is way more spacious.
Also, Monument Park has now kind of disappeared into a dark alcove beyond left-centre field, which is kind of unfortunate.
Some news breaking out.
Veteran David Dellucci has finally arrived, having had his contrat selected from the Las Vegas 51s of the Pacific Coast League (Triple A).
To make room on the roster the Jays have sent down Russ Adams.
Dellucci, a left-nanded bat, appeared in 14 games this season for the Cleveland Indians and hit .275 with three doubles and one run batted in prior to being released and then being signed by the Blue Jays.
He appeared in 16 games for the 51’s, batting .317 (32-82) with six doubles, three home runs and nine RBI.
Dellucci will play today in left field, batting eighth.
Vernon Wells, after being given the day off on Wednesday to contemplate is swing, is back in the lineup but dropping from his normals spot of third in the batting order to sixth.
And there he will stay according to manager Cito Gaston until he starts to produce.
Link to this postTuesday, June 30, 2009 06:05 PM
The toe-down on Downs
You got to love this business.
Here we were, a group of quasi highly-paid professional journalists, grouped around a millionaire athlete whose job it is to save baseball games for a living having a serious discussion about his toe.
Not just any toe, mind you, but the BIG toe on the left foot belonging to Scott Downs, the Blue Jays lefty closer.
If Downs was an NHL hockey player he would have handled the injury the old-fashioned Canadian way -- cut the damn thing off and return to action the next day.
Downs strained the appendage while batting during an interleague game against the Philadelphia Phillies back on June 16th and was placed on the DL.
Chalk up another reason why Toronto manager Cito Gaston detests interlegue play.
Anyway, Downs is slated to come off the DL on Friday when the Jays head into New York to play the Yankees at their new digs.
However, after throwing a bullpen session earlier today, it appears Downs is still some ways off from being able to return to the lineup.
"It's making progress," Downs said. "It could be three days, it still could be a week, it could be two weeks. It's just going to depend when I get out there, how often I get off the mound and when I can actually run on it."
Running will be the key, an activity Downs has shied away from since the injury which, incidentally, occurred while he was running out of the batter's box after striking a grounder.
Let's fact it, that a pretty strenuous activity for these A.L. pitchers who for the most part earn their keep in the land of the designated hitter.
Downs said he is saving that running test until Friday at the earliest.
Downs had earmarked the trip into New York as his coming back party but a more realistic date is probably the following series in Tampa Bay against the Rays.
Gaston said that catcher Rod Barajas and his suspect hamstring both came out of Monday night's game feeling fine but the manager is not one to push things.
Raul Chavez will start behind the plate tonight and again on Wednesday for the afternoon finale against the Rays.
Thursday is an off-day and Chavez will start Friday's first game in New York.
Barajas won't get to play again until Saturday's game against the Yankees, a nice long break to hopefully get the hammy in tip-top condition.
Monday, June 29, 2009 05:28 PM
Chavez a bunting fool
The sight of Raul Chavez rumbling down the first base line like an out-of-control semi was a sight to behold on Sunday afternoon.
The hefty Toronto backup catcher caught everybody by surprise when he laid down a bunt -- and a perfect one at that -- leading off the bottom of the ninth inning with the Blue Jays trailing by one against the Phillies.
Chavez made it safely to first and was replaced by pinch-runner John McDonald.
McDonald may be more fleet of foot than Chavez, but on this occasion he definitely wasn't more fleet of mind -- getting fooled by Philadelphia reliever Brad Lidge, who hung McDonald out to dry between second and third for the key second out.
I asked Chavez the last time he laid down a bunt single.
"When I was skinny," the 11-year MLB veteran responded gleefully.
Chavez went on to say when he was starting off in the Houston Astros organization, he played shortstop on occasion at the minor league level and he quite often would catch the defence napping by legging out a bunt for a single.
Chavez was expecting to get the start tonight behind the plate for Roy Halladay's return on the mound.
But after Rod Barajas tested his gimpy right hamstring by doing some running drills earlier today and proclaimed himself sound, Toronto manager Cito Gaston has opted to start Barajas tonight against the Rays.
Another factor behind his decision, Gaston admitted, is the fact that Barajas has caught all of Halladay's 14 games this season.
And in the Don't-Read-Anything-Into-This department, Alex Rios is not in tonight's starting lineup, giving way to Jose Bautista who will play right field and batting 7th.
"Just a day off," Gaston replied when asked about the switch.
Sunday, June 28, 2009 12:44 PM
The DL shuffle
Kyle Phillips must be cursing the right hamstring of Rod Barajas today.
The 25-year-old was given word late Friday night that he was to make his first trip to the Major Leagues after the Blue Jays announced that regular catcher Rod Barajas was going on the 15-day disabled list with a strained hammy.
The Blue Jays even distributed a biog to reporters outlining the seven-year minor league career of San Diego native.
Wouldn't you know it but Barajas shows up at Rogers Centre on Saturday morning, said his hamstring feels fine and convinces the club that a 15-day stint on the DL might not be necessary.
Cancel that flight ticket Kyle.
Barajas took batting practice this morning and said he felt fine.
"The catching part is not an issue," Barajas said. "I can move side to side, I can get out of the crouch. That was the big reason why we were able to wait and not make the move right away."
The real test, according to Barajas, will come on Monday when he will test the hamstring by running.
If it doesn't feel right after that a trip to the 15-day DL is likely in his future.
So Mr. Phillips, don' t unpack your travel bag quite yet.
Friday, June 26, 2009 05:17 PM
Halladay can draw a crowd
At prcisely 2:48 p.m. Roy Halladay made his way onto the field here at Rogers Centre. The roof wasn't even open yet.
The Blue Jays pitcher slowly made his way into left field toward the Toronto bullpen, stopping near the warning track.
He was soon joined by Brad Arnsberg, the Blue Jays pitching coach and, a little while later, George Poulis, the team's head athletic trainer.
They all had one thing on their mind -- Halladay's groin.
Not having pitched since June 12 against Florida when he excused himself after feeling tightness in his right groin, Halladay is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list on Sunday.
Never has there been so much interest in a bullpen session.
And after throwing about 50 pitches, the bullpen session was over and later the Jays ace and 10-game winner proclaimed himself fit and ready to go.
He is slated to start Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
"I feel like it's completly gone," Halladay said. "So carry on with the plan. I think pitch Monday is what we're going to do from here."
Jays manager Cito Gaston also proclaimed that reliever Jeremy Accardo has recovered from his groin injury and is ready to pitch.
So for once the Jays are getting some good news out of their sick bay.
On the lineup front it is interesting to note that Alex Rios is continuing to free fall down the batting order.
For tonight's game the former No. 3 hitter is pencilled into the No. 7 slot after spending the last 10 days or so in the sixth spot.
Gaston tried to downplay the move, saying he just wanted to do a bit of tinkering.
But there's no downplaying the fact that Rios has been swininging the bat like a real pooch the last couple of games where he's gone 0-for-8 with three strikeouts.
Thursday, June 25, 2009 06:19 PM
Hello, calling all fans
Last time I checked, the Blue Jays were still right there -- mixing it up with the big boys near the top of the heap in the American League East.
Okay, so they're no longer in first place, trailing the front-running Boston Red Sox by five games heading into tonight's play.
But check out the AL wildcard standing and there they are, tied with the New York Yankees for the top spot.
And although the Blue Jays remain one of the top stories this season in Major League Baseball, nobody in Toronto seems to give a damn.
How else can you explain the dismal gatherings that have bothered to turn out this season to Rogers Centre?
For Wednesday night's game against the Cincinnati Reds, only 15,409 souls were on hand.
On the season, the Blue Jays are averaging 22,738 through 36 home dates, which ranks Toronto 23rd out of the 30 teams in the MLB.
Tonight, when the Jays go for the interleague sweep, it will probably be much the same story, another paltry outing.
You get the sense that Toronto manager Cito Gaston is a bit ticked by the continued lack of support, but he's far too diplomatic to make a public case about it.
"I think if we stay in it they'll show up," he said when asked his thoughts on the matter. "School's not out yet, is it?
"I think it will pick up a little bit after the All-Star break if we continue to play well."
Let's hope that's the case. I'd hate to see what the draw might be if the Blue Jays go into a serious decline.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 05:59 PM
First, the good news
Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi said Shaun Marcum's recovery from elbow surgery is coming along swimmingly and that there's a chance that the right-hander could be back in the Jays' lineup before the end of the season.
As for Dustin McGowan, Marcum's injured brother in arms, it looks like the season is a washout.
First Marcum, who underwent Tommy John ligament replacment surgery on July 1.
Ricciardi said Marcum threw two innings of a simulated game in Dunedin on Tuesday and did really well.
"He's way ahead of schedule," Ricciardi said a little while ago as the Jays went through batting practice at Rogers Centre in preparation for tonight's game against the Reds.
Ricciardi said he expects Marcum will throw in some minor league games next month.
"Optimistically we could see him this year {with the Blue Jays} but that's barring any setbacks," he said.
As for McGowan, who has been struggling to come back after undergoing shoulder surgery on July 31st to repair some fraying in his labrum, the news is not as positive.
"Dustin is slow," is how Ricciardi termed his recovery. "He's not close to where he should be from a rehab point. It's just in his case it's going to take a lot longer."
A lot longer is code for don't expect McGowan to be back this year.
Thursday, June 18, 2009 09:34 AM
Ryan's struggles continue
PHILADELPHIA – It was a telling moment yesterday afternoon in Cito Gaston’s office when he was ruminating over his closer options after learning that Scott Downs has been sidelined with a big toe injury.
The Blue Jays manager said he’s kind of leaning toward Jason Frasor but he’s also not about to overlook Brandon League or even Jesse Carlson.
Most likely, he said, his stopper would be Frasor for the foreseeable future.
The one name that didn’t roll off his lips was that of B.J. Ryan, the forgotten man in the Blue Jays bullpen, Toronto’s $10-million-a-year albatross who is rarely seen on the mound in crunch time for the Blue Jays these days.
And it must be tough on the once feared stopper, who logged 32 saves for the Blue Jays last season after bouncing back from Tommy John surgery to his left elbow but who now struggles to put the ball over the plate with any consistency.
Ryan officially lost his closer’s role last month to Downs and there appears little hope he has any chance of earning it back.
His latest outing was once again fraught with intrigue, even though the score was safely in hand for the Toronto Blue Jays – leading 7-1 in the bottom of the ninth inning here on Wednesday night against the Phillies when Ryan trotted out from the bullpen.
A lead-off single by Shane Victorino to centre field was followed by a Chase Utley fly out.
Ryan than proceeded to issue walks to Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez to load the bases before Gaston had seen enough, giving Ryan the hook in favour of League.
League wriggled off Ryan’s baited hook without any damage being sustained, and afterward in the game summary it was noted how Ryan has now not allowed a run in eight straight appearances.
But that doesn’t tell the whole story, and Gaston knows it.
On the season, Ryan is 1-0 with two saves in four save opportunity situations with a bloated 5.82 ERA.
He has allowed 19 hits in 17 innings-pitched while issuing 12 walks and 12 strikeouts.
“Not so much his velocity, just his control,” Gaston said after the game when talking about Ryan’s continued struggles. “We could use him now that Downs is down. I hope he gets better.”
Wednesday, June 17, 2009 11:07 AM
A pitch against interleague
PHILADELPHIA – Having American League pitchers hit during interleague play against the National League is just plain silly.
That argument was driven home again Tuesday night, at the expense of the Toronto Blue Jays, who have now lost closer Scott Downs for probably a week, perhaps longer, after he injured his left foot grounding out in the top of the 10th inning.
Pitchers who earn their keep in the American League are not trained in the art of hitting and it’s like sending lambs to the slaughter every time they’re forced to swing a bat during interleague play.
Toronto starter Ricky Romero was incredulous last night during his three at-bats (three strikeouts), saying that even the curve balls appeared to be coming at him at 100-miles-an-hour.
Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston has every right to be angered by Downs injury and don’t be surprised if tonight every Toronto pitcher just stands at the plate without so much as taking a swing at any pitch.
That would make a mockery of the whole interleague experience but Gaston certainly can’t afford an injury to another one of his pitchers.
Some overlooked tid-bits from my conversation with Matt Stairs yesterday.
The 41-year-old’s contract runs out at the end of this season but Stairs maintains he hopes to be able to play at least another season or two.
He’s not choosy and has no problems continuing with the role he currently has with the Phillies as a full-time pinch hitter.
Stairs has become a bit of a folk hero in the Philadelphia area following his dramatic two-run home run that propelled the Phillies to a 7-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the NLCS last October.
Earlier this season after Stairs received his World Series ring during a ceremony at Citizens Bank Park, the Fredericton, N.B., native said he slipped away afterward to try to have a quiet dinner.
“The people that were serving us were texting their friends to come over to the restaurant,” Stairs recalls. “I had the ring on and I saw some cars pull up, people came in and took pictures and turned around and left.
“It was weird.”
Stairs has also heard that city officials back in Fredericton are now thinking about naming a street after him.
Anybody out there got any suggestions? How about Stairs Drive, a homage to his home-run hitting prowess
Stairs said he’s fine with that idea as long as they wait until after he’s retired. And that’s a road he not ready to cross just yet.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009 06:37 PM
Stairs still having fun
Sports fans in this city have a long memory, as Matt Stairs has been delighted to learn.
The Canadian-born slugger said he still has a hard time buying himself a beverage in this town, the good-will still flowing from his dramatic pinch-hit home run last October that provided the Phillies with a 7-5 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, giving the Phillies a 3-1 stranglehold in their NL Championship Series that they would eventually win before routing the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series.
“I haven’t had to pay for a whole lot in this city lately,” the 41-year-old Fredericton, N.B., native said prior to Tuesday night’s interleague contest against the Toronto Blue Jays, his former club.
The Blue Jays clubhouse lost a good chunk of its personality last August when they traded Stairs to the Phillies and he has settled right in to his new environment, enjoying the pinch-hitting role that has essentially become his full-time job.
This season Stairs is hitting .289 with three home runs and 11 runs batted in in 40 games.
With 257 big league home runs over a 17-year MLB career – second only to Larry Walker’s 383 among Canadian-born players – Stairs said he is enjoying himself way too much to even consider retirement at the end of this season when his contract is up.
“I still want to play,” he said. “I still feel healthy.
“Am I going to play? It’s hard to say. It really depends on how the year goes healthwise and if there’s some interest out there.”
Once his playing days come to a close, Stairs said he would like to become a coach.
He didn’t specify if he would like to coach in baseball or hockey, his first love.
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