The Blue Jays have question marks in the back end of their rotation and are concerned about closer B.J. Ryan's lack of velocity. They have put a heavy burden on their offense to overcome their pitching deficiencies. They look to come out of the gate in April swinging from the heels. A good start is critical.
PLAYER NEWS: --It was a good day at the plate for three Jays who were stuck in mini ruts. 1B Lyle Overbay came into the game 0-for-11 but singled in his first at-bat and later doubled, finishing 2-for-4. DH Adam Lind, the hero of opening night, was in a 0-for-7 skid but went 3-for-4 including a solo home run. LF Travis Snider, 0-for-8 in his previous two games, went 2-for-4, including an RBI double.
--Over the four games against the Tigers, the Jays bullpen allowed just one run over a combined 10 innings. The lone run was a solo homer allowed by LHP B.J. Ryan. Last year, the Jays bullpen had the lowest ERA in the American League.
--With the win, LHP Ricky Romero, 24, became the youngest Blue Jay to earn a victory in his major league debut since Gustavo Chacin beat the Yankees on Sept. 20, 2004.
--The Jays, who banged out two home runs in the sixth inning Thursday (Adam Lind and Marco Scutaro) have had three multi-homer innings already this season. Last year they didn't enjoy a multi-homer inning until June 13 vs. the Chicago White Sox and managed just six multi-homer innings all season.
MEDICAL WATCH:
RHP Casey Janssen (right labrum surgery in March 2008) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He missed all of last season. Counted on to be part of the rotation, Janssen suffered a setback in mid-March 2009 when he felt muscle tightness in back of his right shoulder. He is expected to be back with the club in early May.
RHP Dustin McGowan (right shoulder surgery in July 2008) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. Initially, he was expected to be able to contribute by mid-June 2009 at the latest, but it appears that a late-July date is a best-case scenario.
RHP Shawn Marcum (Tommy John elbow surgery in September 2008) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. Initially, the Blue Jays didn't expect him back until 2010. Now they say he could be back by August.
ROTATION:
1. RHP Roy Halladay
2. LHP David Purcey
3. RHP Jesse Litsch
4. LHP Ricky Romero
4. RHP Scott Richmond
BULLPEN:
LHP B.J. Ryan (closer)
LHP Scott Downs
RHP Brandon League
LHP Jesse Carlson
LHP Brian Tallet
RHP Jason Frasor
RHP Shawn Camp
LINEUP:
1. SS Marco Scutaro
2. 2B Aaron Hill
3. CF Vernon Wells
4. RF Alex Rios
5. DH Adam Lind
6. 3B Scott Rolen
7. 1B Lyle Overbay
8. C Rod Barajas
9. LF Travis Snider
RESERVES:
C Michael Barrett
INF John McDonald
INF/OF Kevin Millar
INF/OF Jose Bautista
