Results tagged ‘ John MacDonald ’

ROSTER DECISIONS SOON TO BE MADE

The Toronto Blue Jays are down to their final week of baseball in Dunedin, Florida before making the trip North to begin the season against the New York Yankees on March 31st and roster spots are due to be made.

Position players (catchers, infielders and outfielders) seem to be set with Gregg Zaun and Rod Barajas at catcher with non-roster invitee Sal Fasano likely to be released rather than sent to AAA-Syracuse.

Lyle Overbay, Aaron Hill, David Eckstein, Scott Rolen will start in the infield with Marcus Scutaro and John MacDonald providing back-up at every position.� Frank Thomas is the Designated Hitter.

That leaves four outfield spots with Vernon Wells, Alex Rios and Matt Stairs all set.� The Blue jays must make a decision on Reed Johnson or Shannon Stewart for the final spot.� Many teams have inquired about the Jays surplus and a trade could help alleviate the situation.

Non-roster infielder Hector Luna and outfielder Matt Watson could be sent to AAA-Syracuse by the end of the week.

The pitching staff includes a rotation of Roy Halladay, A.J. Burnett, Dustin McGowan and Shawn Marcum.� Righty Jesse Litsch is slated to be the number 5-guy in the rotation and the Blue Jays have done nothing to suggest he won’t, unless a late season trade occurs.

The Bullpen has Jeremy Accardo as the closer until B.J. Ryan returns, while Brandon League, Jason Frasor and Scott Downs appear set.� That leaves three spots remaining for 10-remaining pitchers in camp.

The Jays will likely keep one additional lefty to Scott Downs and holdover Brian Tallet would seem to be the guy.� But the Jays also brought to camp John Parrish, Mike Gosling and Jesse Carlson who have all pitched well.� In addition, they picked up another lefty Billy Murphy last week from Arizona.
If Tallet makes the club look for the remainder to be sent to Syracuse.

That leaves two spots for righthanders with rule five selection Randy Wells and Brian Wolfe leading the pack.� They are being challenged by free agent spring training pick-up Armando Benitez, Shawn Camp and Kane Davis.

Either way there are still 19 pitchers in camp with only 12 roster spots available.� This week games will decide who wins jobs in April.� Stay tuned.

Posted on March 22, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Permalink
2 Comments
Filed in: Spring Training 2008
Tags: Aaron Hill, AJ Burnett, Alex Rios, Armando Benitez, Bill Murphy, BJ Ryan, Brandon League, Brian Tallet, Brian Wolfe, David Eckstein, Dustin McGowan, Frank Thomas, Gregg Zaun, Hector Luna, Jason Frasor, Jeremy Accardo, Jesse Carlson, Jesse Litsch, John MacDonald, John Parrish, Kane Davis, Lyle Overbay, Marco Scutaro, Matt Stairs, Matt Watson, Mike Gosling, Randy Wells, Reed Johnson, Rod Barajas, Roy Halladay, Sal Fasano, Scott Downs, Scott Rolen, Shannon Steward, Shaun Marcum, Shawn Camp, Vernon Wells

SANTOS MOVES TO THIRD BASE

Sergio Santos who played shortstop for the entire 2006 season with the Chiefs and then spent most of the 2007 season with New Hampshire (AA) in the Eastern League has played the first four games at third base for the Toronto Blue Jays during spring training.

With David Eckstein, John MacDonald and Marcus Scutaro at the major league level and Pedo Lopez and Hector Luna expected to play short at AAA-Syracuse in 2008, Santos could find himself playing third base in Syracuse this summer.

At 6’2″ and 235 pounds, Sergio displayed much of the power potential many thought he would have when he was the number one pick by the Diamondbacks back in 2002.

After spending all of the 2006 season with the Chiefs and struggling at the plate and in the field, the Blue Jays sent Santos back to AA-New Hampshire in 2007 where he had 34 doubles and 20 home runs, both career highs.

Still only 24 years old, 2008 could be the break through year for the California native.

Posted on March 2, 2008 at 11:52 am
Permalink
1 Comment
Filed in: Spring Training 2008
Tags: David Eckstein, Hector Luna, John MacDonald, Marcus Scutaro, Pedro Lopez, Sergio Santos

FASANO, OLMEDO JOIN JAYS

The Toronto Blue Jays picked up two additional players that could have an impact on the Syracuse Chiefs 2007 season. Veteran catcher Sal Fasano who has spent parts of the past ten seasons in the major leagues with the Royals, A’s, Rockies, Angels, Orioles and last season with the Phillies and Yankees signed a minor league deal with an invite to spring training that begins in three weeks.

Fasano, 35, will provide insurance for the Blue Jays who have Greg Zaun and Jason Phillips slotted at the catching position at the present time with prospect Curtis Thigpen on the way up and expected to start the season with the Chiefs.

The signing of Fasano allows the Blue Jays to allow Thigpen to continue to develop if the need for a third catcher or injury occurs.

The Jays also claimed infielder Ray Olmedo off waivers from the Reds and assigned him to their major league roster. The 25 year old native of Venezuela batted .282 for Louisville last season and recorded a .960 FPCT in 90-games at shortstop. Olmedo has appeared in 171-games with the Reds during the past 4-years (2003-2006).

The Blue Jays now have middle infielders Royce Clayton and Aaron Hill expected to start and John McDonald, Jason Smith, Russ Adams, Ray Olmedo, Sergio Santos and Ryan Roberts also in camp.

During the past week the Blue Jays outrighted 3B/OF Rob Cosby back to the Chiefs and will likely do the same to Roberts who was taken off the major League roster to make room for Olmedo.