Toronto Blue Jays' manager John Farrell reacts during their MLB game against the Miami Marlins in Miami, Florida June 24, 2012.Andrew Innerarity/Reuters
In the midst of a trying year, Toronto Blue Jays manager John Farrell has been unfailing patient with the media in its quest for news surrounding the club.
When it comes to his own contract with the American League club, Farrell's mood will turn frosty.
The rumors are ripe in Boston that the Red Sox, despite giving manager Bobby Valentine the dreaded vote of confidence earlier in the week, will still be in the market for a new skipper come the off-season.
And like it did last off-season, Farrell's name is being mentioned as someone the Red Sox covet for the job.
Farrell, who is under contract with the Blue Jays to manage the team through 2013, was the former pitching coach with the Red Sox for four years up until he accepted his new job in Toronto.
Prior to the Blue Jays' game Friday night at Rogers Centre against the Texas Rangers, Farrell was asked if he was aware that his name was being mentioned in the Boston media regarding the possible managerial replacements.
"I'm under contract here," came the curt reply.
But is he aware of the speculation?
"That's the operative word – speculation," he said. "I'm not going to comment on speculation or conjecture."
And with that Farrell curtailed his daily meeting with reporters in his office.
Before the topic of his job came up, Farrell did say that the team is considering either next Friday or Saturday in Baltimore for pitcher Brandon Morrow to mark his return start with the Major League team.
Morrow, who has been out since June with an oblique injury, will make a final minor-league start with New Hampshire on Sunday.
If he is kept on a regular five-day schedule, Morrow would be ready to start on Friday where the Blue Jays begin a three-game series against the Orioles.
"There's a possibility we could give him an extra day as well," Farrell said. "So we've got some flexibility with this next turn through the rotation, particularly with Monday being an off-day. So it's not been set in stone yet.
"But we've got to get through Sunday first to really outline the first two series of the trip."
Edwin Encarnacion, the Jays leader in home runs, tested his sore shoulder prior to the game and was deemed fit enough for action. He will be the designated hitter after sitting out Thursday's game.
Anthony Gose will get the start in centre as Colby Rasmus gets another day to rest a nagging groin injury.
The Rangers announced before the game that Canadian pitcher Ryan Dempster, who was scheduled to start Saturday's game, has been given permission by the club to be away from the team for the Toronto series.
The Rangers said it was for "personal reasons."
Roy Oswalt will take the start in place of Dempster.