Wells out 6-8 weeks

The news keeps getting worse on the injury front for the Blue Jays. This afternoon, centre fielder Vernon Wells was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured left wrist and is expected to be out from 6-8 weeks. In addition, reliever Jeremy Accardo was placed on the disabled list with a strained right forearm.

To replace Wells, the Jays are recalling infielder Joe Inglett from Triple-A Syracuse and have purchased the contract of righthanded reliever Armando Benitez from Syracuse. Bemnitez, signed as a free agent at spring training, was nearing the date when he needed to be in the major leagues or else could ask for his release. He was 1-0, with a 3.86 ERA at Class-A Dunedin and had a scoreless inning in one appearance.

Wells in Friday night's game made a diving catch landing awkwardly on his left side. He was examined this morning, undergoing an MRI that revelaled the break. Wells had begun to find his stroke again, raising his average to .2381 and leading the team with 25 RBIs.

Accardo's last appearance was Friday, pitching two-thirds of an inning, allowing one run. Already on the DL are David Eckstein, John McDonald, Brian Wolfe and Casey Janssen.

Richard Griffin

Comments

[Chris]

Here we go again!! Everything's working according to Ricciardi's plan - how can we hold him accountable for anything when everyone keeps getting injured?? What a disaster.

[Bill MacDougall]

I realize you can't be TOO critical of the Jays, but this team just screams frustration. Is Ricciardi running a team, or a revolving door? I cannot count the number of 'moves' he has made in the last month alone. The Abbott-Costello routine 'Who's on First?' becomes an all-position 'Who's on?' Only two weeks ago, Adam Lind was announced as the 'permanent' left fielder. He's back in the minors. Stewart-Stairs were supposed to platoon in left field. Now they're both platooning as designated hitters. Inglett was sent to Syracuse but he really wasn't. There are players on the team now I've never heard of. This is a team in deep trouble, long before Wells, Eckstein and McDonald were hurt. With all his wand-waving, Ricciardi is emerging as a very confused man. As you mentioned somewhere, there doesn't seem to a 'plan' anywhere in sight. They are an EXTREMELY difficult and frustrating team to watch.

[Wayne Moss]

***A scene from J.P. Ricciardi's office***

(J.P. is behind his desk on the phone with Cubs GM Jim Hendry, while manager John Gibbons sits across from, nervously wringing his cap, waiting for J.P. to finish his conversation and give him the news)

Ricciardi: Hello, Jim? J.P. here. Listen, there's been a bit of a mix up. Yeah, you see, we actually meant to keep Reed Johnson - it was Frank Thomas and Shannon Stewart that we were going to let go. (pause) Yeah, well, I know it's hard to believe, but it was a clerical error. Mmm hmm. So anyway, we were thinking the easiest way to fix this would be for us to simply trade you Stewart for Johnson. (pause) Well, what if we threw in Gustavo Chacin? He's a hot prospect lefty that we're grooming in the minors and ... hello? Jim? Hello?

Gibbons: Well?

Ricciardi: Gibby, we're (bleep)ed!

[Wayne Moss]

(Sigh). It's going to be a long season.

[norm depalma]

At what point does the Jays' ownership realize that they should fire J.P, this Billy Beane lite g.m.?

Forget the fact that the Moneyball aura was overblown and the A's 'success' was largely predicated on steroids and a pitcher's park. This Billy copy is even more of a puffed up nothing. He builds an offense as if the Jays' home field was Fenway Park. Instead of simply copying the template of the 92-93 Jays---speed, gap hitters, a little small ball, he hired On Base Percentage guys. A team of never take the extra base, hope for the three run homer. And best of all, in a league where 75% of starters are righties he builds a lineup with 1 lefty hitter.

Genius!