Toronto Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi revealed on Tuesday what he has been told is the reason that third baseman Troy Glaus has developed pain in his heel resulting from a bone spur.
"Apparently, Troy usually played in shoes that were half a size smaller than he needed and at some point this spring somebody - I don't know who - suggested he start wearing the proper size," Ricciardi said before the Blue Jays played the second game of their brief two-game series at Fenway Park.
"What happened is that the bottom of his foot kind of spread out a little more than usual, and that caused the discomfort. He's a big man. That's a weight-bearing area."
Glaus, who is on the 15-day disabled list, is expected to join the Blue Jays Wednesday in New York City and play this weekend against the Texas Rangers.
Nothing like a little controversy to spike up a game between the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox and that's exactly what seems to have developed between Blue Jays first baseman Lyle Overbay and Red Sox shortstop Alex Cora: a little controversy.
Cora was upended by Overbay on a double-play that ended the eighth inning of a 5-3 Red Sox's win at the Rogers Centre last Thursday, on a double play started by Mike Timlin. Overbay slid out of the baseline with his arms raised to break up the double play and Cora had to be restrained by teammate Dustin Pedroia. Cora said that he considered Overbay a "great guy," but then added: "It (the play) was a tackle. I don't mind if they go in hard but not with their arms up. You can't reach back. For me, personally, it wasn't a clean slide. That's something I really don't like in the game."
Cora would not add fuel to the matter before Tuesday's game between the teams. Overbay was completely satisfied with his play, but acknowledged he knew Cora was upset. "It's one of those things people are going to perceive differently, but I didn't perceive it that way (as a dirty play)," Overbay said. "I put my hands in front of my face because I didn't want his knee to hit me. I'll do it again."
Overbay was back in the Blue Jays starting lineup, after being used Monday in a reserve role because he was suffering from the stomach flu.
TUESDAY'S LINEUPS
Toronto Blue Jays
Alex Rios, RF Adam Lind, LF Vernon Wells, CF Frank Thomas, DH Lyle Overbay, 1B Aaron Hill, 2B Gregg Zaun, C Royce Clayton, SS John McDonald, 3B
P: Roy Halladay
Boston Red Sox
Julio Lugo, SS Eric Hinske, 1B David Ortiz, DH Manny Ramirez, LF J.D. Drew, RF Mike Lowell, 3B Jason Varitek, C Wily Mo Pena, CF Dustin Pedroia, 2B
P: Julian Tavarez
NEED TO KNOW: Blue Jays manager John Gibbons is unsure what he will do with his lineup if, as expected, Troy Glaus is ready to return on Friday. "But," he said, "one thing I'm starting to really like is having (Adam) Lind hitting second." Lyle Overbay started the year as the regular No. 2 hitter, but he's likely to find his bat back in the middle of the order, where it was last season ... John Thomson started his injury rehabilitation option Monday night at Single-A Dunedin, giving up eight hits, four earned run, one walk and six strikeouts. "Dick Scott (the Blue Jays director of player development) said that wasn't indicative of how he pitched," general manager J.P. Ricciardi said. Thomson will likely make six or seven outings before the Blue Jays make a call on his future, and will finish his stint at Double-A New Hampshire ... Red Sox manager benched Kevin Youkilis and replaced him with former Blue Jay Eric Hinske.
UPCOMING
Wednesday, April 25 at New York Yankees Blue Jays RH A.J. Burnett (1-1, 5.57) at Yankees LH Andy Pettitte (1-0, 1.78), 7:05 p.m., Rogers Sportnet
Thursday, April 26 at New York Yankees Blue Jays RH Josh Towers (1-2, 3.44) at Yankees RH Phil Hughes (Major League debut), 7:05 p.m., Rogers Preview
and replaced him with former Blue Jay Eric Hinske.
UPCOMING
Wednesday, April 25 at New York Yankees Blue Jays RH A.J. Burnett (1-1, 5.57) at Yankees LH Andy Pettitte (1-0, 1.78), 7:05 p.m., Rogers Sportnet
Thursday, April 26 at New York Yankees Blue Jays RH Josh Towers (1-2, 3.44) at Yankees RH Phil Hughes (Major League debut), 7:05 p.m., Rogers Preview
