"Everything is normal," Hill said, stressing that the headaches and dizzy spells are gone. "That's why I can't wait for the first collision so I can just get up and be like: 'See?' It just seems like everyone still has a question mark about it if I've still got it or is he still telling the truth?" So I can't wait to just go out and play."

A healthy and improving Hill is considered to be one of the key players on the squad.

In 2007, his last full season, Hill batted .291 with 17 home runs, 47 doubles and 78 RBIs in 160 games. The Blue Jays believe he can improve on all of those numbers.

"This kid's got a chance to be a leader on this ballclub," manager Cito Gaston said. "He can't do anything but help us, that's for sure."

Hill, who is getting sick and tired about talking constantly about last season's problems, simply wants to play baseball.

"It's going to be fun to get out there and get a full season under my belt again," he said.

WHERE, WHEN: Knology Park, Dunedin, Fla. First exhibition game is Feb. 25 against the New York Yankees.

TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: 3B Scott Rolen is a five-time All-Star but has been dogged by shoulder problems since 2005. In his first season with the Blue Jays, Rolen made two trips to the disabled list and was limited to 115 games, batting .262 with 11 home runs and 50 RBI. After an August stint on the disabled list because of a shoulder strain, Rolen made the decision to change his batting stroke and drop his hands lower to take some of the strain off his left shoulder. The result was he was able to drive the ball with more authority and finished the season by batting .307 with three home runs and 11 RBI over his final 25 games. Manager Cito Gaston is looking for Rolen to have a big bounce-back season.

TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: LHP Jesse Carlson came from nowhere -- actually it was Class AAA Syracuse -- to post superb numbers after being promoted on April 10. Carlson made 69 relief appearances, going 7-2 with a 2.25 ERA and held opposing hitters to a .196 average. It will be interesting to see if Carlson can be as dominating in his second season, or if the batters have adjusted to him.

AUTHORITY FIGURES: It was a bit of a shock when general manager J.P. Ricciardi elected to go with 64-year-old Cito Gaston after he made the decision to fire John Gibbons on June 20. But under Gaston, the club responded in positive fashion, going 51-37 to finish 10 games over .500 with an 86-76 record. Gaston, along with hitting coach Gene Tenace, promoted a more aggressive style at the plate, and the offense improved under their tutelage. It will be interesting to see if a full spring training and season under the direction of Gaston and Tenace can produce a breakout season for RF Alex Rios plus a return to form for CF Vernon Wells and 1B Lyle Overbay.