Last season the Blue Jays had the best pitching in the league. It was the offense that let them down. From the first day of spring training, manager Cito Gaston said that the Jays will go as far as their offense carries them and that they need all bodies to be hitting on all cylinders, especially given the inexperience in their rotation. Through their opening seven games, where they've gone 5-2, the offense led the way, with three of the wins the come-from-behind variety. They'll need it for the rest of the season.
PLAYER NEWS: --RHP Jesse Litsch was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Litsch revealed he hurt his right forearm throwing a four-seam fastball to Justin Morneau to end the first inning Monday. In two starts, Litsch was 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA.
--LHP Bill Murphy was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League to replace RHP Jesse Litsch, who left Monday's start in the fourth inning with a right forearm strain. A reliever, Murphy was recalled as added insurance to the Jays' bullpen, which has seen a lot of duty the last two games. Murphy, 27, has one relief appearance this season for Las Vegas, pitching two shutout innings. Last season, Murphy was 8-10 in 32 games, 24 starts, with a 5.32 ERA as a member of the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs.
--LHP Brian Tallet is targeted for about 70 pitches when he gets the start Saturday at home against Oakland, manager Cito Gaston said. This season, Tallet has made four appearances (7 1/3 innings), allowing five runs and four hits for a 6.14 ERA.
--LHP B.J. Ryan's save Monday will hopefully ease some of the mental burden on the veteran closer, manager Cito Gaston said. "We talked earlier about confidence and success," Gaston said following Monday's 8-6 victory. "He had some success tonight, so hopefully he'll gain some confidence."
MEDICAL WATCH:
RHP Jesse Litsch (strained right forearm) had to leave the game in the fourth inning April 13 and was placed on the disabled list the next day. It wasn't immediately known how long he'll be out.
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:
RHP Roy Halladay
LHP David Purcey
LHP Ricky Romero
RHP Scott Richmond
LHP Brian Tallet
BULLPEN:
LHP B.J. Ryan (closer)
LHP Scott Downs
RHP Brandon League
LHP Jesse Carlson
LHP Bill Murphy
RHP Jason Frasor
RHP Shawn Camp
CATCHERS:
Rod Barajas
Michael Barrett
INFIELDERS:
1B Lyle Overbay
2B Aaron Hill
SS Marco Scutaro
3B Scott Rolen
INF John McDonald
INF/OF Kevin Millar
INF/OF Jose Bautista
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Travis Snider
CF Vernon Wells
RF Alex Rios
DH Adam Lind
