After having not received a win from LHP David Purcey in five starts -- he was 0-2 with a 7.01 ERA -- and Brian Burres in two starts -- he was 0-2 with a 14.21 ERA -- the Jays shipped both pitchers down to Class AAA Las Vegas and called up two rookies in RHP Rob Ray and LHP Brett Cecil. General manager J.P. Ricciardi said that neither rookie was being counted on for the long term, that both were called up to "hold the fort" until two of their injured starters -- RHP Casey Janssen and LHP Ricky Romero -- were able to return by the middle of May.
PLAYER NEWS: --CF Vernon Wells hit a two-run home run in the first inning of Sunday's game. It was his fourth home run of the season and 472nd extra-base hit of his career which moved him into second place on the Jays all-time list. Former 1B Carlos Delgado holds the club extra-base lead with 690.
--RHP Robert Ray turned in a credible performance in his major-league debut Saturday against Baltimore as over 5 2/3 innings, he allowed three runs on four hits. He received a no-decision. Afterwards, he seemed more relieved than pleased. "I've got to be better than that for sure," he said. "I'm happy that I kept us in the game and we came out on top, but I've got to be better than that. I'd rather get six or seven (innings) and hopefully hold them to less than three. I'd say so-so, as far as the outing."
--LF Travis Snider has run into a dry spell. Over his past nine games, Snider is hitting .107 (3-for-28). Over that period, he has no home runs and just two RBIs.
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. He began a rehab assignment with Class A Dunedin on April 27, and he could be back with the Blue Jays in mid-May.
LHP Ricky Romero (strained right oblique muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 20. He threw a bullpen session May 2 and will throw another May 4 before beginning a rehab assignment.
LHP B.J. Ryan (left trapezius tightness) went on the 15-day disabled list April 23. He will need a rehab assignment before returning to the Blue Jays.
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. Litsch experienced discomfort while throwing on April 25.
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, but more recently he was expected to return by August.
ROTATION:
RHP Roy Halladay
RHP Robert Ray
RHP Scott Richmond
LHP Brian Tallet
LHP Brett Cecil
BULLPEN:
LHP Scott Downs (closer)
RHP Brandon League
LHP Jesse Carlson
LHP Bill Murphy
RHP Jason Frasor
RHP Shawn Camp
RHP Brian Wolfe
CATCHERS:
Rod Barajas
Raul Chavez
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
