It was a given that someone was going to be removed from the Blue Jays’ bullpen soon. Closer Scott Downs was coming off the DL and a spot had to be vacated.

Even with B.J. Ryan’s recent struggles, though, learning that the club decided to release the former closer came as a bit of a shock.

“I mean, we knew Downs was coming back at some point and someone had to come out of the ‘pen,” said reliever Jason Frasor, who served as the interim closer while Downs’ was on the DL. “But, when I heard it was B.J., it was like ‘Wow. They actually did it.'”

Wow indeed.

Ryan is still on the books for roughly $5 million more this season and another $10 million in 2010 — paychecks that will continue to head his way from the Blue Jays.

Assistant GM Alex Anthopoulos said the Blue Jays discussed the move internally on Tuesday night, cleared it with ownership Wednesday morning, and Ryan learned he was being released around 3 p.m. ET — a half-hour before the clubhouse doors open. Word is that he rode away in a golf cart in the service-level tunnel.

Ryan didn’t help his cause on Monday when he said he felt some of his command issues stemmed from his sporadic use. It was the ol’ Catch-22, as Anthopoulos pointed out. Ryan believed more time on the mound could help, but manager Cito Gaston no longer trusted Ryan to pitch in critical situations.

“A few days ago, I think we saw in the media that he expressed some frustration of not being able to pitch more and be used more,” Anthopoulos said. “I think that’s what it came down to, that the role that we had for him right now, we couldnt get him the work that he wanted to have.

“It was one of those things that it’s a Catch-22. He needed to pitch more to get the results, but unfortunately we’re in the business of trying to win games and Cito needs to do what he can to give the team the best chance to win and put the best guys in there that he feels gives us the best chance.”

Downs, who was activated from the DL after a bout with a sprained left toe, will immediately return to the closer’s role — a job he was handed in April in light of Ryan’s continued issues on the mound. With Downs as the closer and Brian Tallet in the rotation, heavily-used Jesse Carlson is the lone lefty specialist available in the bullpen now.

Today’s lineups:

*TORONTO BLUE JAYS (43-42)
Fourth place AL East, 8.0 GB

1. Marco Scutaro, SS
2. Aaron Hill, 2B
3. Adam Lind, DH
4. Scott Rolen, 3B
5. Vernon Wells, CF
6. Kevin Millar, 1B
7. Alex Rios, RF
8. Jose Bautista, LF
9. Raul Chavez, C

Starter: LHP Brian Tallet, (5-6, 5.38)

TAMPA BAY RAYS (45-39)
Second place AL East, 5.5 GB

1. B.J. Upton, CF
2. Carl Crawford, LF
3. Evan Longoria, 3B
4. Carlos Pena, 1B
5. Ben Zobrist, 2B
6. Pat Burrell, DH
7. Jason Bartlett, SS
8. Gabe Kapler, RF
9. Dioner Navarro, C

Starter: LHP Scott Kazmir (4-5, 6.79)

*The Jays have not slipped to a .500 record at any point this season

Don’t forget, you can follow me on Twitter: @MLBastian

~JB

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So Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi has let it be known that he’s willing to entertain trade offers for ace Roy Halladay. Toronto isn’t shopping its best player, but the club is at least admitting that it will listen to what is out there.

So how does Doc feel about all of this?

“For me, the best I can do is try to avoid letting it become a distraction and go from there. I understand, obviously, the economics of the game and how the game works. It’s a situation where I think if it’s best for the team, if it’s best for me, then you go from there. At this point, it’s too hard to tell.”

Doc’s reaction seemed to indicate that he’s a little more open to the concept of a trade than he has been in the past. Toronto is in fourth place, the rotation is in shambles, Halladay is a free agent after 2010 and he wants to win. He wants to win in Toronto, but he needs to feel the situation north of the border is going to improve swiftly for him to want to stick around for the long haul.

“My goals have always been the same,” Halladay said. “I love Toronto. I want to stay here, but I want to win as well. That’s becoming more and more of a goal for me. Obviously, my first choice would be to do it here. Like I’ve said in the past, whether or not our organization and my goals line up, it’s never always going to be that way. Sometimes teams have to take steps back and I understand that. I think you always keep in mind the direction you want to go as a player.”

If he’s not dealt, Halladay was asked if he’d want to wait to see how the 2010 plays out before opting to sign an extension.

“I don’t know if you were to talk about something like that what it would entail. I think my biggest decision would be, ‘Do I feel like this is going to go in a direction where we have a chance to win, and quickly?’ And that’s it. It’s hard to tell, but it’s not going to be a decision based on whether it’s a certain years or a certain number. It’s going to be based on winning.”

Halladay said Ricciardi might even be willing to listen to offers knowing the pitcher’s desire to finally reach a World Series.

“He knows where I’m coming from,” Halladay said. “I really believe, even in situations like this, that maybe he’s looking for my best interest, too. Obviously, I’m grateful to have a guy who does take that into account. We really haven’t had those talks, but I think it’s always been open communication.”

In the past Halladay has said he’d prefer not to play for teams that throw tons of money at players in order to try to “buy” championships (see: New York Yankees). Halladay wants to feel his team has fought it’s way and earned a title. Would Halladay accept a trade to a team like the Yankees now?

“That’s a hard question to answer. Really, at this point, I have to do the best I can to focus on my job here. If something does come up, you weigh your options at that point. I hate to put the cart before the horse and start saying I don’t want to go here, I want to do this or I want to do that. I think you just evaluate situations when they come up. I have to focus on my job here.”

Asked if he was more open to a trade than in the past, as it seemed during the interview, Halladay grimaced and hesitated.

“That’s tough. That’s a tough question to answer, honestly,” Halladay said. “I want to stay here, but I think when an organization is kind of thinking that maybe we kind of want to go this direction and it’s a situation that suits the team and yourself, then you have to evaluate that and say, ‘Maybe this is the best thing.’ I’m really not in that situation yet.

OTHER ITEMS: Blue Jays pitcher Shaun Marcum (Tommy John on right elbow at end of last season) logged three innings for Class A Dunedin on Monday. If everything goes according to plan, Toronto believes Marcum might be able to join the big league rotation the first week of August. … Scott Richmond (sore right shoulder) received a cortisone shot and underwent an MRI on Tuesday and is waiting on the results. The team doctor believes it’s just inflammation. Richmond can’t resume throwing for at least three days. … LHP Scott Downs (sprained toe left foot) threw off a mound on Tuesday. The Jays will wait and see how he feels on Wednesday before determining if he can be activated from the DL to rejoin the bullpen. … RHP Jesse Litsch (TJ right elbow earlier this year) made an appearance at The Trop. … The Jays players and coaches were all wearing “LIND YOUR VOTE” shirts during pregame to promote Adam Lind for the Final Vote All-Star spot. You can vote for Lind on bluejays.com.

Today’s lineups:

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (43-41)
Fourth place AL East, 7.0 GB

1. Marco Scutaro, SS
2. Aaron Hill, 2B
3. Adam Lind, DH
4. Scott Rolen, 3B
5. Lyle Overbay, 1B
6. Vernon Wells, CF
7. Alex Rios, RF
8. David Dellucci, LF
9. Rod Barajas, C

Starter: LHP Marc Rzepczynski (MLB debut)

TAMPA BAY RAYS (44-39)
Second place AL East, 5.5 GB

1. B.J. Upton, CF
2. Carl Crawford, LF
3. Evan Longoria, 3B
4. Carlos Pena, 1B
5. Ben Zobrist, 2B
6. Pat Burrell, DH
7. Jason Bartlett, SS
8. Gabe Kapler, RF
9. Dioner Navarro, C

Starter: RHP James Shields (6-6, 3.50)

Don’t forget, you can follow me on Twitter: @MLBastian

~JB

One look at the American League home run leaders, and it’d seem to make sense that MLB might ask Blue Jays second baseman Aaron Hill if he’d be interested in taking part in the Home Run Derby.

Hill ranks third in the league with 20 bombs, which are the most for any second baseman in the game right now. On top of that, his total already is a team record in a season for a second sacker.

“Yeah, but those are in games,” Hill said with a laugh on Monday morning. “Have you seen me in batting practice? Maybe if they do something about the fences I’d consider it.”

So, don’t count on Hill swinging for the fences in Busch Stadium. Besides, I doubt he’d want to risk ruining the good swing he’s got going for him right now. “It’s bad luck, isn’t it?” said Hill, when asked about the Derby. It sure didn’t do much for Alex Rios, who took part in the event in 2007 in San Francisco.

Prior to Monday’s game, Hill came out into the dugout to do a TV interview and a kid — maybe nine or 10 years old — wearing a red Yankees cap, was leaning over the railing with a baseball and a pen, asking “Mr. Hill” for an autograph. When Hill obliged, the kid said “congrats” since the second baseman just made his first All-Star team. Savvy kids here in New York.

Blue Jays closer Scott Downs is scheduled to throw off a mound in a bullpen session on Tuesday. Downs is still fighting a sprained toe on his left foot, an injury that’s kept him on the DL for nearly three weeks. With only six games remaining before All-Star break, Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston said there’s a chance Downs might not return until the second half. That’s still “up ion the air” though.

Chatted some with B.J. Ryan today. Check bluejays.com a bit later for more.

Today’s lineups:

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (42-41)
Fourth place AL East, 8.0 GB

1. Marco Scutaro, SS
2. Aaron Hill, DH
3. Vernon Wells, CF
4. Scott Rolen, 3B
5. Alex Rios, RF
6. Kevin Millar, 1B
7. Jose Bautista, LF
8. Rod Barajas, C
9. John McDonald, 2B

Starter: LHP Ricky Romero (6-3, 2.85)

NEW YORK YANKEES (48-33)
Second place AL East, 1.0 GB

1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Nick Swisher, 1B
3. Mark Teixeira, DH
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Jorge Posada, C
6. Robinson Cano, 2B
7. Melky Cabrera, LF
8. Eric Hinske, RF
9. Brett Gardner, CF

Starter: LHP Any Pettitte (8-3, 4.25)

Don’t forget, you can follow me on Twitter: @MLBastian

~JB

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Adam Lind’s chances of making it to the All-Star Game were slim before this season even started. As the Jays’ projected DH, Lind was left off the ballot, due to the game being played in a National League park.

No matter how well Lind played, it was going to be difficult to convince fans to write his name in enough times to send him to St. Louis. Well, Lind has been enjoying a breakout season, and now his name IS on a ballot.

The Final Vote ballot.

Lind joins L.A.’s Chone Figgins, Tampa Bay’s Carlos Pena, Detroit’s Brandon Inge and Texas’ Ian Kinsler as the American League choices for the final spot on the league’s elite squad.

Blue Jays fans can vote for Lind until 4 p.m. ET on Thursday, and he certainly deserves to join ace Roy Halladay and second baseman Aaron Hill at Busch Stadium. Through 80 games, all A Mighty Lind has done is hit .309 with 17 homers, 25 doubles and 55 RBIs, putting up a .384 on-base and a .553 slugging. He added a two-run homer in the third-inning at Yankee Stadium today.

So, this is your chance as Blue Jays fans to potentially help Lind to his first All-Star Game. CLICK HERE TO CAST YOUR VOTE.

~JB

MEET YOUR 2009 BLUE JAYS ALL-STARS

Second baseman Aaron Hill

Hill gets his first All-Star selection thanks to his peers. Well deserved. It would’ve been a shame for him to miss out on the Midsummer Classic just because his particular position is stacked with talent, especially in the bigger more publicized markets. Through 81 games, Hill has hit .297 with 19 homers (club record for second baseman) and 56 RBIs. His 105 hits were the second-most in the Majors and he ranked first among all second baseman in hits, homers, RBIs and total bases (175). This after missing much of last season with a serious concussion.

Jays ace Roy “Doc” Halladay

Halladay heads to St. Louis for his sixth All-Star appearance. The only question is whether Toronto’s ace will be honored with the start. Through 16 outings, the good doctor has gone 10-2 with a 2.79 ERA and three complete games. Even with two weeks spent on the DL in June, Halladay is tied for the most wins in the game and his 116 innings mark the sixth-highest total. He has 98 strikeouts against 17 walks and has induced an American League-high 193 groundouts. Doc’s 1.09 WHIP is the third-best among AL starters and he’s averaged just 14.1 pitches per inning.

Today’s lineups:

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (42-40)
Fourth place AL East, 7.0 GB

1. Marco Scutaro, SS
2. Aaron Hill, 2B
3. Adam Lind, LF
4. Scott Rolen, 3B
5. Lyle Overbay, 1B
6. Vernon Wells, CF
7. Alex Rios, RF
8. David Dellucci, DH
9. Raul Chavez, C

Starter: LHP Brett Cecil (2-1, 5.09)

NEW YORK YANKEES (47-33)
Second place AL East, 1.0 GB

1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Johnny Damon, LF
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Jorge Posada, C
5. Hideki Matsui, DH
6. Nick Swisher, RF
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Melky Cabrera, CF
9. Cody Ransom, 3B

Starter: RHP Joba Chamberlain (4-2, 3.89)

Don’t forget, you can follow me on Twitter: @MLBastian

~JB

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Asked about the old Yankee Stadium last week, Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston called it a “dump”, saying “All it has is history.”

Now, it’s a reversed situation. The new Yankee Stadium is a luxurious facility for fans, press and players alike. What it lacks, though, is history. The Yankees are at least doing their best to add some early lore to the building.

On the lower level, in the tunnel that leads to the clubhouses, there is a hole in the ground that is sectioned off by some piping (pictured right). It is where the David Ortiz jersey was dug out of the foundation during the stadium’s construction. Click the link to read more about the history of the hole.

They could’ve easily filled the hole in, but where would the fun be in that?

Sitting in the visiting dugout this afternoon, us scribes were chatting with Jays second baseman Aaron Hill. He said heading to the old Yankee Stadium for the first time was a special moment for him as a young player. He showed up early, walked around the stands, walked out in the outfield, soaking it all in.

That’s something that is missing from the new park. But, maybe a century from now, some Blue Jays manager will be asked about this Yankee Stadium, and maybe it too will one day be called a “dump” with nothing but history going for it.

OTHER ITEMS: Scott Downs (sprained toe left foot) threw again on Saturday, but there is still no timetable for his return from the disabled list. “He feels good. That’s about all I can tell you. He feels good and hopefully he gets back before the All-Star break. If not, we’ll just suck it up until then.” … Not sure if you’ve noticed, but Jays lefty Brian Tallet has taken to flapping his glove a little before delivering a pitch lately. Gaston noticed a while back that Tallet would only do it on certain pitches — perhaps tipping hitters off as to what he was throwing. So, Tallet has started doing it all the time to hopefully eliminate the problem. … Third baseman Scott Rolen enters today riding a 20-game hitting streak. He’s hit .415 (34-82) with a .449 on-base, a .610 slugging, three homers, seven doubles, 12 RBIs and 16 runs over the streak. Within those 20 games, Rolen has 11 multi-hit games and three three-hit showings.

ALL-STARS: The All-Star teams will be revealed on Sunday, with 32 of the 33 roster spots being announced for the AL and NL squads. Deserving to go for the Jays: Roy Halladay, Aaron Hill, Marco Scutaro, Adam Lind and Scott Rolen. Halladay is the only lock and Hill will have a good shot if Ian Kinsler of the Rangers wins the popular vote. Stay tuned…

Today’s lineups:

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (42-39)
Fourth place AL East, 7.0 GB

1. Marco Scutaro, SS
2. Aaron Hill, 2B
3. Adam Lind, DH
4. Scott Rolen, 3B
5. Lyle Overbay, 1B
6. Vernon Wells, CF
7. Alex Rios, RF
8. David Dellucci, LF
9. Rod Barajas, C

Starter: RHP Doc Halladay (10-2, 2.56)

  NEW YORK YANKEES (46-33)
Second place AL East, 2.0 GB

1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Johnny Damon, LF
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Robinson Cano, 2B
6. Jorge Posada, C
7. Hideki Matsui, DH
8. Melky Cabrera, RF
9. Brett Gardner, CF

Starter: RHP Chien-Ming Wang (1-6, 10.06)

Don’t forget, you can follow me on Twitter: @MLBastian

~JB

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One thing that Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston has always done is be upfront and honest with his players, especially when it comes to lineup decisions. Gaston will always talk to his players first and then make a move, and this is something they respect.

I bring this up because Cito had a chat with center fielder Vernon Wells on Wednesday to tell him that the lineup was going to see some changes. The struggling Wells was going to have a day off and then he was going to be pushed down to the lower portion of the lineup.

“He just said some changes are going to be made,” Wells said on Wednesday. “He’s always been straight-up and forward with me. That’s something that he’s been since Day 1. He’s called us in his office and told us how he’s felt about different things. It’s been an open relationship.”

Here at the new Yankee Stadium today, Wells was in the sixth spot for the opener of a four-game all-afternoon set against the Bronx Bombers. Until Wells starts to come around, this is likely where he’ll remain — the same for Alex Rios in the seven hole. Eventually, Wells and Rios could return to the heart of the order. That’s up to them.

“Players do write up the lineup,” Gaston said. “If he starts to swing the bat well, I’ll get him back up that way. You always like to have your speed up there at the top if you can. Hopefully, this will take a little of the pressure off of him and he can just be a little bit more loose and go out and start swinging the bat like he’s capable of doing.”

Closer Scott Downs threw in the bullpen prior to today’s game, testing that pesky sprained big toe on his left foot. Downs said recently that he would love to be activated from the DL this weekend — he’s now eligible. Said Gaston: “I doubt if it’ll be here, but who knows? … We’d love to get him back as soon as we can.” A lot will depend on how Downs feels on Saturday.

Prior to the game, the Blue Jays also announced that Russ Adams had been designated for assignment and David Dellucci’s contract had been purchased from Triple-A Las Vegas. Dellucci will play left field and some DH and Cito is hoping he can add some pop from the left side to Toronto’s lineup. Check bluejays.com later for more on Dellucci.

Today’s lineups:

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (42-38)
Fourth place AL East, 7.0 GB

1. Marco Scutaro, SS
2. Aaron Hill, 2B
3. Adam Lind, DH
4. Scott Rolen, 3B
5. Lyle Overbay, 1B
6. Vernon Wells, CF
7. Alex Rios, RF
8. David Dellucci, LF
9. Raul Chavez, C

Starter: LHP Brian Tallet (5-5, 4.47)

 
NEW YORK YANKEES (45-33)
Second place AL East, 3.0 GB

1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Johnny Damon, LF
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Robinson Cano, 2B
6. Nick Swisher, RF
7. Hideki Matsui, DH
8. Francisco Cervelli, C
9. Brett Gardner, CF

Starter: RHP A.J. Burnett (6-4, 3.93)

Don’t forget, you can follow me on Twitter: @MLBastian

~JB

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The Blue Jays’ lineup wasn’t drastically different on Wednesday morning, but manager Cito Gaston did make some noticeable alterations to the local nine.

First and foremost, slumping center fielder Vernon Wells was out of the lineup, given a day off to “clear his head” as Cito put it. Come Friday in New York, Wells will be back in the lineup, Gaston just isn’t sure where he’ll be batting.

“I’ll think about it,” Gaston said. “Give me a couple days to think about it and I’ll see what I can come up with.”

We chatted some with Wells, who once again said he’s as frustrated now as he has been at any point in his career. Asked if about potentially being dropped lower in the order by Gaston, Wells shrugged and had this to say:

“Unfortunately, I haven’t given him a choice,” Wells said. “If you swing the bat, you’re going to be in the position where you’re supposed to be. If you’re not, you’re going to be put in a different position. That’s part of this game and that’s something that, if you’re moved, you’ve got to try to prove that you need to be back in that position.

“It puts it right back on your shoulders and you’ve got to go out and start swinging the bat better and get back to where you’re used to.”

Gaston also shifted left fielder Adam Lind to the third spot of the order — a place previously occupied first by Alex Rios and then by Wells. Rios has struggled and is now batting seventh. Wells will likely be batting fifth or sixth when the Jays open a four-game set against the Yankees on Friday.

“You wouldn’t want him hitting ninth or anything like that,” Gaston said. “I think you have to put him somewhere that certainly he’s not embarrassed or you just put him so low that he’s not getting enough at-bats either. He’s a guy that we need. We need him to hit.”

Going forward, Gaston said that Lind will continue to bat third for the Jays. Shortstop Marco Scutaro and second baseman Aaron Hill won’t be moved out of the Nos. 1-2 spots any time soon, and third baseman Scott Rolen has performed well as the cleanup hitter. Everthing else is up for debate right now.

Today’s lineups:

TAMPA BAY RAYS (44-35)
Third place AL East, 4.0 GB

1. B.J. Upton, CF
2. Carl Crawford, LF
3. Evan Longoria, 3B
4. Carlos Pena, 1B
5. Ben Zobrist, 2B
6. Pat Burrell, DH
7. Jason Bartlett, SS
8. Gabe Kapler, RF
9. Michel Hernandez, C

Starter: RHP James Shields (6-5, 3.41)

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (41-38)
Fourth place AL East, 7.0 GB

1. Marco Scutaro, SS
2. Aaron Hill, 2B
3. Adam Lind, LF
4. Scott Rolen, 3B
5. Lyle Overbay, 1B
6. Kevin Millar, DG
7. Alex Rios, RF
8. Rod Barajas, C
9. Jose Bautista, RF

Starter: LHP Ricky Romero (5-3, 3.20)

Don’t forget, you can follow me on Twitter: @MLBastian

~JB

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As manager Cito Gaston promised, right fielder Alex Rios was back in the Blue Jays’ starting lineup for Tuesday’s tilt against Tampa Bay. For the second time in the past week, Gaston slid Rios down into the seventh spot of the batting order.

Gaston was asked if, at the beginning of the season, someone told him Rios would be hitting seventh before the All-Star break, what would the manager’s reaction be?

“I wouldve thought that’d be bad,” Gaston replied. “It’s someone that we really need to step up and play well. I would’ve thought, ‘Hey, that’s not good.’ We still need him to step up and play well and hopefully he will before it’s all over.”

Overall, Rios entered Tuesday batting .263 with nine home runs and 37 RBIs through 76 games for the Blue Jays this season. He opened the year as Toronto’s No. 3 hitter for 61 games before being moved down to the sixth hole for 14 contests. Over his last eight games, Rios has hit just .188.

Gaston still believes the talent is in there.

“He has as much as anyone on this ballclub,” Gaston said. “He’s probably as strong as anybody on this ballclub. He has a lot of talent. It’s just putting it all together.”

That’s been the story year in and year out with Rios. Loads of potential, flashes of his raw ability in spurts, but prolonged slumps during which he can look completely lost at the plate. As he has stated numerous times before, Gaston said he believes timing is the root of Rios’ issues at the plate.

“I still believe a lot of times he’s not ready,” Gaston said. “I say this all the time, guys when they don’t hit well they just don’t get ready in time. Also, you have to have an approach up there, too. You can’t hit every pitch that they throw up there. You’ve got to have a plan about what you want to do.

“Alex has got to take a plan up to the plate with him, whether he’s going to hit a fastball or he’s going to hit a breaking ball. Start looking for some of those pitches.”

OTHER ITEMS: On Tuesday, closer Scott Downs (sprained toe on his left foot) threw off a mound in a bullpen session for the first time since injurying his foot on June 16. Downs said the session went well, and the injury hasn’t negatively affected his mechanics, but he has yet to test his foot with running. That step will come in he next few days. Downs said he hopes to be ready to return during the coming road trip, maybe even as early as Friday, when he’s eligible to be activated. Gaston said the club might be more cautious, possibly giving Downs until after the All-Star break. … Catcher Rod Barajas, who has been dealing with a sore right hamstring, was out of the lineup on Tuesday. Gaston said Barajas and catcher Raul Chavez will alternate starts for the time being. … Jays draft pick Jake Eliopoulos (68th overall) from nearby Newmarket, Ontario, visited Rogers Centre and threw in the bullpen on Tuesday. He remains unsigned. … If you have any Jays questions, send them with your name and hometown to bluejaysmailbag@gmail.com. Thinking of rolling out a mailbag on Thursday, if I get enough quality Q’s from the fanbase.

Today’s lineups:

TAMPA BAY RAYS (43-35)
Third place AL East, 5.0 GB

1. B.J. Upton, CF
2. Carl Crawford, LF
3. Willy Aybar, 3B
4. Carlos Pena, 1B
5. Ben Zobrist, 2B
6. Pat Burrell, DH
7. Gabe Gross, RF
8. Jason Bartlett, SS
9. Dioner Navarro, C

Starter: RHP Matt Garza (5-5, 3.61)

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (41-37)
Fourth place AL East, 7.0 GB

1. Marco Scutaro, SS
2. Aaron Hill, 2B
3. Vernon Wells, CF
4. Scott Rolen, 3B
5. Adam Lind, DH
6. Lyle Overbay, 1B
7. Alex Rios, RF
8. Russ Adams, LF
9. Raul Chavez, C

Starter: RHP Scott Richmond (6-4, 3.68)

Don’t forget, you can follow me on Twitter: @MLBastian

~JB

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It’s just a “day off” for Alex Rios, says manager Cito Gaston. Nothing more to it than that — just a way to get Jose Bautista “a few at-bats.” Maybe so, but there is no arguing that it is a well-timed day off for Rios, who has been frustratingly streaky this season.

Rios, whose last day off came on May 26, has hit a paltry .188 with no homers and four RBIs over his last eight games. That comes after a 13-game stretch during which he batted .321 with two homers and seven RBIs for the Jays.

Asked what he’s been seeing at the plate from Rios, Gaston stuck to his usual explanation.

“I say it all the time,” Gaston said. “When guys are in slumps, they just don’t start on time. They’re just late. They don’t get it started. It just boils down to timing — that’s all.”

DOWNS WATCH: Spoke briefly with Jays injured closer Scott Downs this afternoon, between his moving the “No Media Beyond This Point” sign and finding the “Red Bull spot” for his can in the dugout routine. Downs (DL’d with a sprained toe on his left foot) said his foot feels “the best it’s ever felt” and he plans on testing it out a mound and during some fielding drills on Tuesday. He’s eligible to come off the DL for the Jays upcoming series in New York. Not sure if he’ll be ready by then.

ROD READY: Catcher Rod Barajas (sore right hamstring) convinced the Jays to change their lineup on Monday with some successful baserunning prior to the game against the Rays. Barajas has avoided the DL and is back behind the plate. Gaston admitted that having Doc Halladay on the mound Monday played a role in starting Barajas. The catcher has been behind the dish for each of Doc’s 14 starts this season, and the ace has gone 10-1 with a 2.53 ERA. Why mess with a good thing?

HOME RUN HILL: Chatted some with Jays second baseman Aaron Hill this afternoon about where all the power is coming from. He talked about his swing mechanics and also noted that his bat is 1.5 ounces heavier this year. Check bluejays.com later tonight or tomorrow morning for more. … A good story he also shared: Hill set his high school’s record for homers with nine back in 2000 at Redwood High in Visalia, Calif. Earlier this season, Redwood player Blake Proctor broke Hill’s mark. Hill found out from one of his old teammates, Redwood coach Mario Celillo, and decided to call Proctor to congratulate him. Nice move. Just another reason to like this Aaron Hill fellow.

I never got a call when I broke my high school’s record for being hit by the pitch. No love.

TOUGH STRETCH: After bolting out of the gates this season, the Blue Jays have fallen back to earth. The Red Sox, Yankees and Rays are all now ahead of the Jays in the American League East standings, and Toronto’s next 16 games (10 on the road) are all against division rivals.

Said Gaston: “We’ve got all East coming up. All these games are important games for us — right up until the All-Star game. We play these guys three, we go to New York for four and then we go down there [to Tampa Bay] and over to Baltimore. I say all the time, you better take your best game to Baltimore, too. They’re not just going to lay down and let you beat on them. They’ve got a good-hitting ballclub over there. All these games, it’s important that we go out and play well and see if we can win some of these games.”

Today’s lineups:

TAMPA BAY RAYS (42-35)
Third place AL East, 5.0 GB

1. B.J. Upton, CF
2. Carl Crawford, LF
3. Evan Longoria, 3B
4. Carlos Pena, 1B
5. Willy Aybar, 2B
6. Pat Burrell, DH
7. Gabe Gross, RF
8. Jason Bartlett, SS
9. Dioner Navarro, C

Starter: RHP Jeff Niemann (6-4, 4.23)

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (41-36)
Fourth place AL East, 6.0 GB

1. Marco Scutaro, SS
2. Aaron Hill, 2B
3. Vernon Wells, CF
4. Scott Rolen, 3B
5. Adam Lind, DH
6. Lyle Overbay, 1B
7. Jose Bautista, RF
8. Russ Adams, LF
9. Rod Barajas, C

Starter: RHP Roy Halladay (10-1, 2.53)

Don’t forget, you can follow me on Twitter: @MLBastian

~JB