Results tagged ‘ BJ Ryan ’
BLUE JAYS MAKE FINAL ROSTER MOVES
The Toronto Blue Jays made their final roster moves and headed North today by adding infielder/outfielder Buck Coats to replace the injured Scott Rolen and keeping rule 5 selection righthanded pitcher Randy Wells as the final pitcher on the staff. B.J. Ryan will also be placed on the disabled list to make room for Wells.
The season is still three days away and players can still be added , but the 25-man roster seems set barring any injuries. Expected to return to the minor league complex include infielder Hector Luna and outfielder Matt Watson, while pitcher Mike Gosling, John Parrish, Jesse Carlson, Shawn Camp, Armando Benitez and Billy Murphy will all be added to the crowded pitching staff at the AAA-leve
The Chiefs roster should be announced on Friday.
THIS AND THAT
Congratulations to infielder Ryan Roberts who becomes the third Chiefs player called up this season when Troy Glaus was placed on the DL. Roberts was taken off the 40-man roster this off-season but put himself back on the map with a solid Spring Training. Roberts joins Adam Lind and Jamie Vermilyea in Toronto.
It looks like Lind will be in Toronto for awhile because Reed Johnson will miss two months after having back surgery. Also closer BJ Ryan will miss 4-6 weeks with tenderness in his elbow. Former Chiefs Jason Frasor and Shaun Marcum will be called upon to close games in his absence.
Insidethedome.com is reporting that the Toronto Blue Jays have reached three year contract extensions, through the 2010 season, with Tony LaCava, Director Player Personnel, **** Scott, Director Player Development, Jon Lalonde, Director Scouting, Sal Butera, Special Assistant to the GM & Charlie Wilson, Manager Minor League Operations.
Taking a look at our Double-A affiliate the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (4-2)some former Chiefs are off to a hot start. Closer Lee Gronkiewicz has 3 saves in four outings. Outfielder Wayne Lydon is hitting .333 with 2 HR and 8 RBI in six games. Catcher Erik Kratz is hitting .583 with 2 doubles a HR and 5 RBI in five games played. Pitcher David Purcey is 1-0 and had 7 strikeouts and just one walk in six innings in his only outing.
Infielder Rob Cosby was hitting .278 in five games before being placed on the DL Saturday after being hit on the hand by a pitch.
LEAGUE BACK WITH CHIEFS, MAYBE…
Righthanded pitcher Brandon League who never really was able to pitch this spring has been optioned to Syracuse. The hard throwing reliever has had trouble with his velocity and will likely spend time in Dunedin before making an appearance in Syracuse with the Chiefs.
The Blue Jays meanwhile need to make a few decisions this week now that League will not be part of their plans to start the season.
The rotation is nearly set with Roy Halladay, AJ Burnett, Gustavo Chacin and Tomo Ohka set. The fifth spot should go to Josh Towers who has pitched well enough to earn another chance.
BJ Ryan, Scott Downs, Brian Tallet, Jason Frasor also should be assured spots. That leaves John Thomson, Victor Zambrano, Geremi Gonzalez, Jeremy Accardo, Casey Janssen and Francisco Rosario all fighting for three spots. Zambrano and Janssen look like they are the front runners. While Rosario is out of options, and Thomson won’t begin throwing again until Friday. Gonzalez and Accardo look like they are ticketed to the Chiefs.
The Blue Jays could also help their bullpen by pulling off a late spring training trade or claiming someone off waivers this week.
JAYS BEGIN TO DELETE ROSTER
The Toronto Blue Jays minor league camp opened last week and games for their four affiliates will begin on Wednesday vs the Philadelphia Phillies organization. At the major league level, the parent club has begun sending down players including seven pitchers. Lefty Jo Matumoto joins righthanders Beau Kemp, Josh Banks, Ismael Ramirez, and yesterday Ryan Houston, Jean Machi and Tracy Thorpe found their way back to the Englebert Complex.
Only shortstop Sergio Santos and catcher Erik Kratz have been assigned from the group of non-pitchers.
First glance at the Jays pitching staff only Roy Halladay, A.J. Burnett, Gustavo Chacin, B.J. Ryan, Scott Downs, Jason Frasor, and Brian Tallet seem to be locks. That leaves probably five spots available and righthanders Jeremy Accardo and Brandon League if healthy will take up two of those. The other three spots, two are starting pitchers and one long reliever.
The candidates, Tomo Ohka, John Thomson, Josh Towers and Shaun Marcum are leading contenders with Victor Zambrano, Pete Walker and Geremi Gonzalez also in the mix. Francisco Rosario is out of options and can’t return to Syracuse.
Pitchers most likely left out and headed back to Syracuse include Dustin McGowan, Davis Romero, who was injured early in camp, Matt Roney, Ty Taubenheim, Lee Gronkiewicz, Blaine Neal, and Brian Wolfe.
