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: --DH Adam Lind is on one of the best streaks of his career. In the first four games he has gone 10-for-21 (.476) with three homers and 11 RBI.
--The Jays faced their first left-hander of the season Friday in Cleveland starter Scott Lewis. The Jays countered by dropping two of their left-handed hitters. 1B Lyle Overbay was given the day off and replaced by right-handed hitting Kevin Millar, and Jose Bautista replaced Travis Snider in left field. Millar, in his first game of the season, was 2-for-4 with one RBI.
--Saturday's game features two former Cy Young Award winners hooking up with the Jays Roy Halladay facing Cleveland's Cliff Lee. "A game like that is good for the fans," manager Cito Gaston said. "But I'm sure if you went into each dugout and asked each manager, he'd rather have them not face each other."
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
