Roster taking shape, Jays @ Phils pregame
So, here’s what we now know:
The Blue Jays’ bullpen will include B.J. Ryan, Scott Downs, Jesse Carlson, Brian Tallet, Brandon League, Jason Frasor and Shawn Camp. The bench will have Kevin Millar, Jose Bautista and John McDonald.
The only races left are for the backup catching job and the fifth starting job. No. 5 candidate Brad Mills is taking on the Phils tonight. His competition, Scott Richmond, takes the hill Thursday in Lakeland against the Tigers.
Toronto optioned reliever Jeremy Accardo to Triple-A Las Vegas today and manager Cito Gaston said utility man Joe Inglett will also be sent down. As far as the ‘pen, Gaston said he didn’t want to break up the group that led MLB in bullpen ERA last year. With Inglett, it was purely a numbers game — no room in the inn.
Gaston was also asked if he had any interest in recently released slugger Gary Sheffield and he said no. Adding Sheff would likely mean Travis Snider would be sent to the Minors and Gaston doesn’t feel that would be moving in the right direction. GM J.P. Ricciardi, reached by phone, also said there was no interest in Sheffield on the Jays’ end.
Asked if he was closer to making a decision on taking either Michael Barrett or Raul Chavez north as the backup catcher, Gaston said the move would be made before Friday. All spring, I’ve been saying Barrett was the front-runner for that job, but here’s what Cito had to say today:
“Both have played well. It’s a situation that Chavez has probably played better. But Mike’s starting to come around swinging the bat. It’s going to be one of those things, we’re going to try to do the best thing for the club.”
So, advantage Chavez? We’ll see.
Don’t forget, you can follow my in-game updates at www.twitter.com/mlbastian
Today’s lineup:
BLUE JAYS
Marco Scutaro, 2B
Jose Bautista, 3B
Adam Lind, DH
Vernon Wells, CF
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Travis Snider, LF
Rod Barajas, C
Aaron Mathews, RF
John McDonald, SS
Brad Mills, P
PHILLIES
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Jayson Werth, RF
Chase Utley, 2B
Ryan Howard, 1B
Raul Ibanez, LF
Shane Victorino, CF
Pedro Feliz, 3B
Chris Coste, C
Miguel Cairo, DH
Brett Myers, P
~JB
Major League Bastian 
Looks like Sheffield is garnering lots of interest with multiple teams expressing interest. Right now the the Philles or Reds appear to be the front runners.
Hopefully Accardo gets thing straightend out, Frasor and Camp scare me out there.
Well, how about that. Overbay finally did something more than stike out, which is all he’s done for what seems days now, and the kid hit another one out.
Wheres Alex Rios hope he isn’t hurting. We need him to get off to a hot start.
your right gjays Overbay is really struggling this spring lets hope he can be a contributer come April 6.
Not a great outing from Mills. He’s got to figure out a way to stop hitting all those bats when he pitches. Could be his so called deceptive delivery has already been figured out. He certainly didn’t help his case tonight, so over to Richmond.
Yes, Overbay has now struck out 14 times in 35 at bats and only walked 3 times so not only is his ba crap, so is his obp. But, at least tonight he grounded out once-yesterday he wiffed 3 of 3. I’m hoping he gets up to speed before the bell rings for the season.
I don’t think there’s any problem with Rios, if there is nothing has been said about it.
Brutal.
The other guy who’s been in a consistent decline since the first week of spring training is Millar, who’s now hitting a magical .189.
I’m not sure, we’re going to ever celebrate his signing; personally I’d prefer Inglett came north instead of Millar.
Good thing none of us had to pay to watch that game, that had to be brutal watching in person-unless you’re a Phillies fan.
Give Mills a couple of months in AAA and he will be okay.
I said from the start that Richmond would go North and I’m glad he is. I think he deserves a chance to play this year, After all JP screwed him for the olympics and Whitt for the WBC.
Ya looks like Richmond will come North. Cecil will be up buy the end of May so it should just be temperary for Richmond. Im optimistic about slots 1-4 in our rotation but I have ZERO confidence in Richmond/Mills. Hopefully they can prove me wrong.
I agree that I was one of the pesimists who thought that Romero was a flop. He is still only 24 I think he will be a solid starter with the potential to be an excellent 2-3 starter. I’m Really looking forward to watching the young guys play.
Gotta say that I am disappointed that Inglett is being sent down. At times last year, it seemed like he was the bright spark (other than the pitching staff, and before Lind/SNider were brought up).
If somebody gets injured soon after Joe is actually sent down, he better be on the roster for the rest of the year!!!!
Steve
I don’t like Inglett being sent down either, but I think we need to give Aaron Hill some time to find himself again. If he can’t though, between Inglett and Scott Campbell should put the pressure on him.
Can someone tell how a guy that hit 42 homeruns in AAA last year gets released today??? Dallas McPherson. I would be all over this guy if I were J.P. We need more pop from the corner infield positions, that is for sure. Weren’t the Jays rumoured to be trading for him once? When he was in Anaheim? I don’t know how much he will go for?
http://homerfoodandhistory.mlblogs.com/
Welike
I was surprised Dallas was released yesterday as well. Nice looking 1st/3rd baseman and certainly worth pursuing.