Stumbled my way into the Blue Jays clubhouse following a rousing flight from Baltimore – never get tired of peering at Niagara Falls from 25,000 feet; the Maid of the Mist looks like a Hot Wheel – and stumbled into Vernon Wells.

And he was unpacking bats of all things. That's always a good sign when you're injured.

Alas, the Jays centerfielder wasn't preparing for an early return to the lineup.

Still, it was kind of good news. Wells participated in light live batting practice for the first time since he strained his left hamstring a little over two weeks ago.

At the time the Jays said he would be out from between four to six weeks.

Wells said the leg is coming along and said he ran to about 75 per cent capacity on the treadmill the other day with no ill effects.

Still, he said it is an injury you can't really rush back from. The tendon is only partially torn, he said. If he were to tear it completely he would be in real do-do.

Wells also conceded that the tendon could require surgery at some point. Maybe. It depends on what doctor he's speaking with.

“I've learned when you talk to doctors there's a lot of rules of thought,” he said. “A lot of people think different things. So, yes and no. I don't know.

“I've honestly got an answer, ‘Yes, you'll need surgery, no, it will heal itself.'”

Second baseman Aaron Hill was also spotted at the ballpark, but it was apparently just a courtesy call. Hill is suffering from post concussion syndrome and still a ways off from being close to rejoining the team.

Here's a thought.

If Wells heals to the point where he can swing a bat and do some light running, why not put him in the lineup as DH?

Couldn't do any worse – or could he??? – than the guy handling the chore now. Matt Stairs is hitting a buck-25 out of the No. 4 slot over the last 15 games and has just looked lost, striking out 22 times.

The question was posed to Wells.

“I would try to get back in any capacity I could,” he said. “I want to get back in the lineup, but you don't was to be just a clog on the bases when you get on there.”

Wells stopped for a second, and was going to add something, but decided against it.

Was Vernon about to say the Jays used to have a DH who fit that bill exactly in Frank Thomas? We'll never know.

The lineups:

Mariners

1. Ichiro Suzuki, RF
2. Willie Bloomquist, CF
3. Raul Ibanez, LF
4. Adrian Beltre, 3B
5. Jose Lopez, 2B
6. Jose Vidro, DH
7. Miguel Cairo, 1B
8. Kenji Johjima, C
9. Yuniesky Betancourt, SS

Pitcher: Miguel Batista

Blue Jays

1. Joe Inglett, 2B
2. Marco Scuitaro, SS
3. Alex Rios, CF
4. Lyle Overbay, 1B
5. Rod Barajas, C
6. Matt Stairs, DH
7. Scott Rolen, 3B
8. Adam Lind, LF
9. Brad Wilkerson, RF

Pitcher: John Parrish