Toronto Blue Jays Roster Report 2009-04-20

Through spring training and the opening week of the season, alarm bells were ringing loudly over the performance of veteran closer B.J. Ryan. In Sunday's 1-0 victory over Oakland, Ryan turned in his second solid performance and is now 2-for-3 in save situations. Ryan faced four batters Sunday, allowing one hit while striking out one -- Jack Cust for the second out. His velocity is in the 87-89 mph. range and more importantly he is back throwing strikes. On Sunday, Ryan threw 16 pitches, 13 for strikes.

--Before Saturday's game, the Jays placed C Michael Barrett on the 15-day disabled list and purchased the contract of C Raul Chavez from Class AAA Las Vegas. With the 51s, Chavez was the backup to top prospect J.P. Arencibia and as a result appeared in only two games, batting .143 (1-for-7). Barrett suffered a right shoulder muscle tear when he crashed to the turf in Friday's game after fielding a wild pitch.

--In Saturday's 4-2 victory over Oakland, 1B Lyle Overbay ended the game in the 12th inning with a two-out, two-run home run. It was the first walk-off home run in Overbay's career and the second walk-off victory of the season for the Blue Jays. Last year the Blue Jays didn't record their second walk-off victory until July 25.

--SS Marco Scutaro went 0-for-4 Sunday, marking the first time he has failed to reach base safely this season. It also snapped a streak of 16 consecutive games dating to last season. He had for home runs in the first 12 games.

C Michael Barrett (torn right shoulder muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list April 18.

RHP Jesse Litsch (strained right forearm) went on the 15-day disabled list April 14. He is expected to miss six to eight weeks.

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.