If Troy Glaus can shrug off a bone spur in his heel and return to belt a game-changing home run, then I guess I can work through a little back pain. After being immobilized for most of yesterday, I’m feeling a lot better. Thanks to those of you who sent me get well messages. My back’s still really tight and I may have a trip to the chiropractor in the near future, but it’s not so bad that I can’t head back to "the office." Here’s today’s pregame blog:

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Baltimore (18-21) at Toronto (16-22)
at 7:07 p.m. ET at the Rogers Centre

Today’s lineup:

ORIOLES
Brian Roberts, 2B
Nick Markakis, RF
Miguel Tejada, SS
Ramon Hernandez, C
Aubrey Huff, 1B
Melvin Mora, 3B
Jay Gibbons, DH
Jay Payton, LF
Corey Patterson, CF

PITCHING: RHP Daniel Cabrera

BLUE JAYS
Alex Rios, RF
Adam Lind, LF
Vernon Wells, CF
Troy Glaus, 3B
Frank Thomas, DH
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Aaron Hill, 2B
Jason Phillips, C
John McDonald, SS

PITCHING: RHP Jesse Litsch — Major League debut

NOTES: Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi said Tuesday that INF Jason Smith was not designated for assignment — he was placed on waivers. Teams have until 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday to claim Smith. If he isn’t claimed, the Jays will need to offer him back to the Cubs for $25,000 (Smith was selected from the Cubs in December’s Rule 5 Draft). If the Cubs decline, then Smith is Toronto’s to keep and place into its Minor Leagues.

I’m in bed, typing with one hand. Apparently, the Blue Jays’ injury woes aren’t limited to the field. During my daily afternoon workout, something yanked in my back and now I have sheer pain that slices through my back with any slight movement. Needless to say, I won’t be making it to the park tonight. I’m stuck in bed and hoping to avoid a trip to the DL. This Jays injury bug is ruthless.

NOTE: The word seems to be that Toronto plans on calling righty Jesse Litsch up from Double-A for tomorrow’s start.

With the way things have been going lately, it’s hard to not to question things you hear around Blue Jays camp — blame the B.J. Ryan "back injury" thing if you want to point to something specific. Take a scenario within Sunday’s 2-1 loss to the Devil Rays, for example.

Toronto was trailing Tampa Bay, 1-0, heading into the eighth inning. The Devil Rays — void of any left-handers in the bullpen — called up righty Brian Stokes to face Jays catcher Jason Phillips (righty), who was leading off the inning, followed by Ryan Roberts (righty) and Adam Lind (lefty). Jays manager John Gibbons called for a pinch hitter: John McDonald, who bats from the right side.

On the bench, presumably, was right fielder Alex Rios — Toronto’s leader with seven home runs who has gone 7-for-17 on the current homestand. McDonald, on the other hand, had never faced Stokes and was 1-for-his-last-25 at the plate. Also on the bench was a left-handed option in Jason Smith if Gibbons wanted to play the percentages.

McDonald promptly grounded out to the pitcher, Roberts (no hits in three games this year and filling in at third for the injured Troy Glaus) flew out to center, and Lind grounded out to second base. Again, Rios or Smith were presumably available to pinch hit for either McDonald or Roberts.

Afterward, when Gibbons was asked why he decided McDonald was the man for the situation, he replied:

"I’ve got my reasons. You don’t need to know everything. I had my reasons. I just chose to do it that way at that time."

With the way Toronto’s clubhouse has been transformed into an infirmary, it was easy to question whether or not that meant something was wrong with Rios. Before and after the game, though, Gibbons insisted Rios was fine. It was merely a day off for the right fielder. Toronto’s manager also said there was nothing wrong with Phillips.

So, in almost comedic fashion, a pack of us reporters waited in the clubhouse for Rios to finally emerge so we could get his take on the situation. When a team official approached Rios to tell him the media wanted to talk to him, he looked absolutely puzzled.

Everything OK?

"Yeah, I’m fine."

Could you have pinch hit in that situation?

"Of course."

Do you have any idea why you weren’t playing?

"I have no clue. Day off, I guess."

OK, that’s that. Gibbons had his reasons.

GLAUS UPDATE: After the loss, Glaus said he was "feeling better" after re-injuring his left heel on Friday, and Gibbons said the third baseman might just avoid a second DL stint after all. Toronto doesn’t need to make a roster move until Tuesday, when it needs a replacement starter for the injured Roy Halladay.

Tampa Bay (14-22) at Toronto (15-21)
at 1:07 p.m. ET at the Rogers Centre

Today’s lineups:

DEVIL RAYS
Rocco Baldelli, CF
Brendan Harris, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Ty Wigginton, 3B
B.J. Upton, 2B
Carlos Pena, 1B
Delmon Young, RF
Dioner Navarro, C
Johnny Gomes, DH

PITCHING: RHP Jae Seo

BLUE JAYS
Adam Lind, LF
Matt Stairs, RF
Vernon Wells, CF
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Frank Thomas, DH
Aaron Hill, 2B
Royce Clayton, SS
Jason Phillips, C
Ryan Roberts, 3B

PITCHING: RHP Shaun Marcum

NOTES: Marcum was making his first start since Sept. 30, 2006. … Still no word on whether or not 3B Troy Glaus (sore left foot) was headed to the DL. Toronto manager John Gibbons said Glaus was "making progress" since injuring his foot during Friday’s game. … Gibbons also indicated that whoever is called up to start on Tuesday would likely only be in the rotation for one start. … Gibbons cited the Rays’ lack of any lefties in the bullpen as the reason for having three left-handed hitters (Lind, Stairs and Overbay) in the first four slots of the lineup. Right fielder Alex Rios was just given the day off.

Tampa Bay (14-21) at Toronto (14-21)
at 1:07 p.m. ET at the Rogers Centre

Today’s lineups:

DEVIL RAYS
Rocco Baldelli, DH
Brendan Harris, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Ty Wigginton, 2B
B.J. Upton, CF
Carlos Pena, 1B
Delmon Young, RF
Dioner Navarro, C
Josh Wilson, 3B

PITCHING: RHP Edwin Jackson

BLUE JAYS
Alex Rios, RF
Adam Lind, LF
Vernon Wells, CF
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Frank Thomas, DH
Aaron Hill, 2B
Jason Smith, 3B
Royce Clayton, SS
Sal Fasano, C

PITCHING: RHP Dustin McGowan

NOTES: Toronto recalled INF Ryan Roberts from Triple-A Syracuse to take RHP Roy Halladay’s (15-day DL) spot on the roster. … 3B Troy Glaus wasn’t placed on the DL after suffering a left foot injury on Friday, but the Jays don’t need to make a decision regarding his status until Tuesday, when they will need a replacement starter for Halladay. … Halladay’s replacement will likely be one of these Minor Leaguers: Ty Taubenheim, Josh Banks, David Purcey or Jesse Litsch. … Clayton was back in the lineup after missing a few games with a sore back, according to manager John Gibbons. … LHP Gustavo Chacin played catch prior to Saturday’s game — his first time throwing since injuring his lef shoulder on April 30. … Halladay was released from Mt. Sinai Hospital in Toronto on Saturday.

Take a deep breath Jays fans. Toronto ace Roy Halladay is the latest addition to the disabled list. Prior to Friday’s game against the Rays, Halladay showed up to the park pale in the face and complaining of pain in his side. He came down with acute appendicitis and needed immediate surgery. The Jays will be without Doc for roughly four to six weeks.

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Tampa Bay (14-20) at Toronto (13-21)
at 7:07 p.m. ET at the Rogers Centre

Today’s lineups:

DEVIL RAYS
Rocco Baldelli, CF
Elijah Dukes, DH
Carl Crawford, LF
Ty Wigginton, 3B
B.J. Upton, 2B
Delmon Young, RF
Carlos Pena, 1B
Brendan Harris, SS
Josh Paul, C

PITCHING: LHP Scott Kazmir

BLUE JAYS
Alex Rios, RF
Vernon Wells, CF
Troy Glaus, 3B
Frank Thomas, DH
Aaron Hill, 2B
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Jason Phillips, C
Adam Lind, LF
John McDonald, SS

PITCHING: RHP A.J. Burnett

NOTES: Toronto enters the game with a nine-game losing streak. … Toronto hasn’t named a replacement yet for Halladay in the rotation. Jas GM J.P. Ricciardi said the club would discuss the matter after Friday’s game and it’s possible that someone is called up from Triple-A, or even Double-A. … LHP Gustavo Chacin is scheduled to play catch on Saturday.

UPDATE — 7:42 pm: Glaus exited the game in the first inning with what appeared to be a hamstring injury and immediately was replaced by infielder Jason Smith. More later…

There will be no QA during the game tonight. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to do it again, so stay tuned. ~JB

The Longest Losing Streaks in Blue Jays history:

12 — May 31-Aug. 10, 1981 (strike year)
11 — Aug. 26-Sept. 6, 1977
10 — June 18-28, 1994
9 — July 17-30, 1977
9 — June 4-14, 1978
9 — April 24-May 3, 2002
9 — May 1-10, 2007 (ongoing)

The current drought matches the fourth-worst losing streak in team history. It also is one loss shy of tying the club’s worst skid to begin a month. During the 12-game losing streak in ’81, Toronto lost 10 games to begin August. The Jays have dropped all nine of their ongoing slump in May.

ON DECK: Toronto’s A.J. Burnett will look to right the ship against Tampa Bay’s Scott Kazmir, who is 2-3 with a 3.17 ERA in nine starts against the Blue Jays. He’s 2-2 with a 4.94 in four career outings at the Rogers Centre. Burnett, on the other hand, is 5-1 with a 2.56 ERA in nine career outings against the Rays. Burnett is 7-2 with a 3.40 ERA in 12 career starts in Toronto.

Getting interactive again: It never fails in the life of a journalist. You go to bed one night, expecting it to be a normal day the next time you head to the park, and then you’re bombarded with news. Today, we learned Toronto closer B.J. Ryan will be out for the year. I’ll be writing something on it before tonight’s game, but I still plan on fielding some questions from Blue Jays Nation throughout the contest. Again, these can be about the game in progress or general inquiries about the club. So join me in the comment field after the first pitch. Talk to you soon…

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Boston (22-10) at Toronto (13-20)
at 7:07 p.m. ET at the Rogers Centre

Today’s lineups:

RED SOX
Julio Lugo, SS
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
David Ortiz, DH
Manny Ramirez, LF
J.D. Drew, RF
Mike Lowell, 3B
Coco Crisp, CF
Doug Mirabelli, C
Alex Cora, 2B

PITCHING: RHP Tim Wakefield

BLUE JAYS
Alex Rios, RF
Adam Lind, LF
Vernon Wells, CF
Troy Glaus, 3B
Frank Thomas, DH
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Aaron Hill, 2B
Sal Fasano, C
John McDonald, SS

PITCHING: RHP Roy Halladay

NOTES: Ryan is out for the year after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his left elbow. Best-case scenario, he’s ready by Spring Training 2008. … RHP Victor Zambrano was placed on the 15-day DL with a strained right forearm. … Toronto recalled RHP Jamie Vermilyea and added him to the bullpen. … RHP Shaun Marcum will start Sunday against the Devil Rays. … Thomas was moved into the No. 5 spot for the second time this season. He has made 28 starts as the cleanup hitter. … With Ryan out for the year, Toronto will "play the hot hand" for the closer role, according to GM J.P. Ricciardi. RHP Jeremy Accardo was the first pitcher named as a potential candidate by both Ricciardi and manager John Gibbons, but neither wanted to commit to one player for that job.

His back is fine, but his elbow is far from it. Toronto’s All-Star closer underwent Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery in Cincinnati on Thursday morning. Dr. Timothy Kremcheck, who performed the operation, told the Blue Jays that Ryan should be available by next spring.

Originally, the Jays said Ryan would miss 4-6 weeks after meeting with Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala. Andrews recommended four weeks of rest, and after three weeks, Ryan was put through a physical test in Texas. When the pain in his elbow, which has been there since the spring it turns out, wasn’t gone, Toronto discussed things over with the doctors and decided surgery was the best option. It’s the first such operation of Ryan’s career.

So, how who’s Toronto’s closer? Jason Frasor has been inconsistent and Jeremy Accardo could see some more time in the role. With Ryan out for the year, will Toronto look elsewhere for a temporary closer? They have Ryan under contract for three more years, so it’s have to be a one-year solution. I’m sure we’ll have a few more answers later today. Stay tuned…

The Longest Losing Streaks in Blue Jays history:

12 — May 31-Aug. 10, 1981 (strike year)
11 — Aug. 26-Sept. 6, 1977
10 — June 18-28, 1994
9 — July 17-30, 1977
9 — June 4-14, 1978
9 — April 24-May 3, 2002
8 — May 1-9, 2007 (ongoing)

During the club-worst 12-game slide, Toronto dropped the first 10 games in August. The eight-game losing streak to start this May is the longest slump to begin a month since that 1981 stumble.

ON DECK: Toronto ace Roy Halladay will try to apply the tourniquet on Thursday in the finale of a three-game set against the Red Sox. And as a heads up for you fans, I’ll once again field questions during the game on the blog. So feel free to come on the site here during the contest tomorrow to send me Q’s about the game in progress or the team in general. I decided to do it at the last minute on Wednesday, but I’m giving a days’ worth of advance notice this time around.

Stay tuned for more…