Rays @ Jays pregame
Casey Janssen came through the clubhouse today with MRI results in hand and quickly disappeared into the training room. After he emerged, he shrugged to us reporters and said “Still haven’t heard anything.”
So, as of this writing, there’s no new info on Janssen’s right shoulder, which tightened up on him in the first inning against the Yankees yesterday. Janssen did say his arm “feels a lot better” today, so that’s at least a good sign. I find it hard to believe that he can win a rotation job out of spring now, though.
I think it’s more likely now that Brad Mills is handed one of the available jobs and that Scott Richmond and Matt Clement will be vying for the other. Clement and Richmond and going in the same game on Sunday in Fort Myers. I get the feeling from conversations around camp that Clement is still behind Richmond right now in the team’s eyes.
That being the case, my own opinion is that Richmond takes the other spot to open the season. I also believe that Brett Cecil — unless he gets hurt or struggles mightily at Triple-A — will be up with the Jays by late April or May, likely taking Richmond’s spot (or Clement if he wins the job).
Who really knows, though. I could be dead wrong and Richmond and Clement might both be heading north.
UPDATE — FIRST INNING: Two batters in, Mills has a walk and a home run allowed. Hmmm…Maybe I should rethink my predictions?
UPDATE — FIFTH INNING: Mills still in the game, has allowed four runs on six hits with four strikeouts, one walk, one hit batter and one home run in his first four frames. Not the best showing. Could be be losing his grip on a potential job? Also, the Jays are saying Janssen has a mild muscle strain near his shoulder and he’ll resume throwing in three days. I still don’t see how he can break with the team now that he’s being backed down some.
Don’t forget, you can follow my in-game updates at www.twitter.com/mlbastian
Today’s lineup:
RAYS
Jason Bartlett, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Gabe Kapler, CF
Carlos Pena, DH
Dioner Navarro, C
Chris Richard, 1B
Morgan Ensberg, 3B
Ray Sadler, RF
Adam Kennedy, 2B
Matt Garza, P
JAYS
Russ Adams, LF
Jose Bautista, SS
Alex Rios, RF
Vernon Wells, DH
Kevin Millar, 1B
Jason Lane, CF
Rod Barajas, C
Brad Emaus, 2B
Kevin Ahrens, 3B
Brad Mills, P
~JB
Major League Bastian 
Nice to see Janssen had an mri.
We can always tell when Vernon is playing, our gidp numbers always go up.
Come on Mills, settle down and hang in there kid.
I think we will see Clement and Mills make the team. Jenssen in the pen to stretch out his arm. I wager Jenssen does a good job and will remain in the pen. One of Clement/Mills will struggle and will be replaced be Cecil.
I don’t know why by I have a good feeling about Clement. It certainly would not hurt to start the kids out at AAA and move them up during the season. No need to rush this year.
I don’t think Mills will make the team based on his performance of late, no harm in starting him out at Triple A and if he does well then call him up. Clement has been fine by me this spring, and hopefully Richmond can pick up a few things from Halladay (other then bubblegum), and become a legit starter. I remember Doc had some rough times before developing his cutter. Hopefully Richmond can pick up somethin like that.
I have been telling people that if Matt Clement can be consistent he will have a shot at a roster spot and maybe a rotation bid. The experience would be awesome for Jesse Litsch and David Purcey.
Considering what the rotation looked like before spring started, Cito Gaston has to be happy that guys have stepped up and want to claim those spots instead of him just picking people for the slots.
Rays Renegade
http://raysrenegade.mblogs.com
What’s not to like about 13 runs in two innings.