JAYS WEDNESDAY NOTES FROM TAMPA

Jays Notes 05-04-11

by Richard Griffin

 

THURSDAY at Rays, 1:10 p.m. vs. RH Jeremy Hellickson (2-2, 4.31) vs. Kyle Drabek (2-1, 4.45)

TV: SNET RADIO: FAN 590

FRIDAY vs. Tigers, 7:07 p.m. LH Phil Coke (1-4, 4.50) vs. RH RH Jesse Litsch (2-2, 4.60)

TV: SNET RADIO: FAN 590

SATURDAY vs. Tigers, 4:07 p.m. RH Justin Verlander (2-3, 3.75) vs. LH Ricky Romero (2-3, 3.00) 

TV: SNET RADIO: FAN 590

 

HILL'S TIMETABLE FOR RETURN MOVED UP

As Aaron Hill launched a drive over the head of the right fielder off teammate Dustin McGowan in a simulated game at the Mattick Complex, the injured second baseman rounded first at full speed and let out the joyous yell of a kid on the playground. It was his first test of the day and he passed with flying colours. Hill added five at-bats in an extended spring training game and all of a sudden, the timetable for his return to the active roster was accelerated.

“Six at-bats, hit-by-pitch, no injuries, so he'll move over to the Florida State League team for (Thursday) and Friday,” manager John Farrell said. “Likely that he then goes back and gets at-bats in the extended game on Saturday to allow for some travel to get to Toronto by Saturday night. There is the possibility that he could be in the lineup on Sunday. Provided there's no unforeseen things take place physically with him, that would be the plan.”

The original plan was for Hill to be in the Dunedin Blue Jays lineup on Saturday night and travel Sunday, meaning he would not be able to play.

 

A NOD TO BAUTISTA'S NECK SPASMS

The Jays received good news on Wednesday with regard to Jose Bautista's neck stiffness and spams that may allow him to play as early as Saturday.

“It's improved today,” manager John Farrell said of his still absent star. “He was getting treatment with Dr. (Thomas) Tolli at his clinic. He's up walking around feels more freed up. The spasm is relaxing, which is the information we were given. It hasn't changed our timetable upon his return. But the fact that progress is being made is encouraging.

“The plan going forward would be to have some swings of the bat, some baseball activity on Friday, provided that there's no residual effect and how intense we can make the workouts on Saturday and then project that he'll be back in the lineup on Sunday.”

There is no doubt Bautista will argue for an earlier return.

 

UNSCHEDULED CLUBHOUSE MEETING

The normal procedure for major-league teams having clubhouse meetings is before the first game of a series to go over the opponents roster and its tendencies. Prior to Wednesday's Game 2 of the series against the Rays, manager John Farrell called an unexpected meeting of all his players just prior to batting practice.

There were external clues regarding intent. The night before, in a 3-2 loss, Adam Lind had stood in the batter's box on a popup with a runner on first and nobody out. Juan Rivera has consistently trotted to first on ground balls and Rajai Davis was passive coming in on a flyball to right field resulting in an RBI single.

“No, it was just a little advance meeting, just a reminder of some of the things we set out yesterday, that's all,” Farrell said after which he was asked about the Lind lack of hustle. “That was addressed. That was addressed in between innings. Out of respect to the player, (we) do it out of sight of what took place on the field, but that was addressed. In that particular place I thought it was isolated.”

In their first plate appearances, Davis beat out an infield single and stole second. Lind homered to right and Rivera hustled into second on a double to right centre.

 

DOWN ON THE FARM

AAA-Las Vegas (11-15) beat Reno 7-6 on Tuesday. RH Danny Farquhar(1-1) was the winner in relief of Canadian RH Scott Richmond, who allowed six runs in five innings. CF Scott Podsednik was 2-for-5 with a pair of triples. Canadian 1B Adam Loewen was 2-for-4 with his third homer.

AA-New Hampshire (14-9) beat Reading 7-2 on Tuesday. RH Chad Beck (3-0) allowed two runs in six innings. Recently demoted LF Darin Mastroianni was 2-for-5 with a steal.

A-Dunedin (11-15) beat Brevard County 4-3 on Tuesday. RH Nestor Molina (3-2) allowed an unearned run in seven innings with four hits and seven strikeouts. C A.J. Jiminez has hit safely in 16 of his last 18 games and is hitting .346. RH Wes Etheridge is 7-for-7 in saves.

A-Lansing (16-9) lost 2-1 to Lake County on Tuesday. LH Egan Smith (2-1) allowed just one earned run in six innings and was picked up by three shutout innings from LH Sean Nolin.

 

Comments

[gary a]

it's good to see Farrel addressing the little things cause i know you can't win them all but there is nothing worse then when they lose games due to mental mistakes drives me crazy!

p.s.. Richard you and Bob Elliot are class acts love reading both of you!!

[john g]

Hey, I like this new format.
Keep it up.