Toronto Blue Jays

The 2013 season has not gone as hoped, so far, for the Toronto Blue Jays or young slugger Brett Lawrie. The Jays have a 20-27 record amid injuries and below-average performances, and Lawrie has experienced both personally. However, that doesn’t mean the Jays need to play in dirty uniforms, or that the players can’t be responsible for cleaning them — like many other Canadians in charge of their own work laundry. So it’s reassuring that the Jays aren’t afraid to function in Toronto society amongst the people, like Lawrie does in this TV commercial for Rogers cable. View full post on Yahoo! Sports – MLB – Toronto Blue Jays News

The 2013 season has not gone as hoped, so far, for the Toronto Blue Jays or young slugger Brett Lawrie. The Jays have a 20-27 record amid injuries and below-average performances, and Lawrie has experienced both personally.However, that doesn't mean the Jays need to play in dirty uniforms, or that the players can't be responsible for cleaning them — like many other Canadians in charge of their own work laundry. So it's reassuring that the Jays aren't afraid to function in Toronto society amongst the people, like Lawrie does in this TV commercial for Rogers cable Read more Brett Lawrie news

After the Orioles fans got to see one of their big pitching prospects debut last night in the form of Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays fans will have their chance tonight with Sean Nolin. He goes up against Chris Tillman who has continued having a pretty solid year since his start against the Blue Jays on April 22. Surprisingly, he pretty much dominated the Blue Jays lineup on that occasion (back when the Jays weren't good) getting a no decision in a walk off 2-1 win for the O's. Tillman went 6.2 innings allowing 4 hits, 3 walks, and 1 earned run recording 3 strikeouts on the evening. In that start he threw almost 75% fastballs in the low 90's, mixing in a few changeups and curveballs. via www.brooksbaseball.net How does a guy with a low 90's fastball throwing it three quarters of the time only give up one run in almost seven innings you ask? When hitters like Edwin Encarnacion swing through pitches like this fastball for strike three. Don't worry, this will be a homerun tonight. It's now time to pause and reflect on the fact that the last time Chris Tillman faced the Blue Jays was also the last time: J.P. ARENCIBIA GOT A WALK What are you thinking Tillman? Just throw it down the middle! via www.brooksbaseball.net Sean Nolin Since this is Sean Nolin's first ever MLB start, let's take a look at him as well. I made a longer post about him back in the offseason so you can read that if you like, although I'll be copying a lot of that stuff into this post. Nolin is a 23 year-old left handed pitcher who was drafted in the sixth round of the 2010 draft along with the old Lansing Three. He flew under the radar with the old depth of the Jays system, but with consistent results he slowly became one of the Blue Jays' top prospects. Nolin features the four main pitches (fastball, slider, curveball, changeup), which all still have room to grow. He's not a power pitcher like Gausman was last night, but he still pitches smart with a 9.39 K/9 and 2.93 BB/9 in 15.1 innings down at New Hampshire this year. He's also allowed only two earned runs and no homers. His numbers were very similar last year so this is no small sample size magic. Fellow Bluebird Banter member Jared Macdonald wrote up a great post over at JaysProspect.com with some first-hand observations of Nolin, so go and read that! Here's some select quotes if you didn't have time to read the whole thing. At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Nolin is an imposing figure on the mound with wide hips and long limbs. He throws almost over the top and on a good downhill plane, with good deception as a result of hiding the ball well. Nolin’s pitching coach with Dunedin, Darold Knowles, liked the southpaw’s fastball in particular. “He’s probably a hell of a lot better pitcher than people give him credit for,” Knowles said. “He can spot the fastball pretty good, his changeup has been very effective. “When he gets in trouble he just goes to the fastball and he’s been able to spot it. The fact that he’s left-handed he can sink it, he can ride it.” In addition to facing tougher competition while with the Fisher Cats, Nolin was taught how to throw a power slider that has a slider grip, but is thrown like a fastball which gives it a cutting action. Nolin's fastball sits in the low 90's and he says that's one of his out pitches. Here's him recording an out with the pitch. Nolin's changeup is slowly coming along although he isn't using it much, mainly focusing on just a fastball-curveball combination. In Marc Hulet's article about Nolin he said the lefty wasn't throwing his curveball for strikes, which will be an issue in the major leagues. I noted the similarities I saw between Nolin and Mark Buehrle in the offseason, and it's even more interesting to compare as we've now seen Buehrle in a Blue Jays uniform for two months. Should Lind Play: YES Chris Tillman is pretty neutral with his splits, which isn

The Toronto Blue Jays have sent out a media release listing out several moves they have made this morning. As expected, Sean Nolin's contract was selected from the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in order to make today's start. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, J.A. Happ was transferred to the 60-day disabled list, and to make room on the 25-man roster, Darren Oliver was placed on the 15-day disabled list. It was thought that Ramon Ortiz would have been shipped out to make roster room for Nolin; however it was actually another 40+ player who was moved instead. Darren Oliver, 42, last pitched on May 18 but has been suffering from a left shoulder strain since. Ortiz has been moved from the rotation to the bullpen. Oliver was asked why he hadn't been pitching lately, and he said that it's "sore enough to where I can’t go out there and play. I’ve pitched through it a few times. Maybe I’m just getting old, who knows." Oliver is eligible to be taken off the DL on June 3. This is very unfortunate for the Jays, as Oliver had been a solid member of the bullpen for the past couple of seasons--let's hope he bounces back after the 15-days and that he isn't that old yet. J.A. Happ, as you remember, was hit in the head by a comebacker against the Rays on May 7. His head injury turned out to be minimal, but on his fall after the hit he hurt his right knee, spraining it. The transfer to the 60-day DL was not completely unexpected, as initially it was estimated that Happ would be out for four to six weeks anyway. Happ would be eligible to return to the roster on July 7, but when he does, someone must be taken off the 40-man roster. The Blue Jays' 40-man roster is currently full.

The Jays are easily one of the most GIFable teams, whether on the field or off. If you frequent out blogs, Scott Lewis usually does a Friday GIF post from around the league, but this post will focus only on the Jays. So here we go: The Aaron Loup ball caress is simply mesmerizing. And maybe even a little creepy. Even more when it’s x2: There’s no love for DeRosa, as he gets shut down TWICE. First by Morrow: Then by Brett Cecil: This was a strike 3 call to end the game against Tampa on Tuesday: Brett Lawrie hears the news that the CityPlace Sobeys stopped carrying Red Bull #BellLetsTalk: Brandon Morrow spazzing out in the dugout: Lawrie and Abraham Cibia change emotions in a second: Gibby is tired of your shit: Kawasaki and his pre-game stretches are always entertaining: This might be my last post after Stoeten sees this, so it’s been fun:

GAME RECAPS Encarnacion's slam helps Jays pummel Orioles - Sportsnet.caSportsnet's recap: Edwin Encarnacion's sixth-inning grand slam helped pave the way for a 12-6 Blue Jays rout over the Baltimore Orioles. Toronto Blue Jays blast Baltimore Orioles | Toronto StarThe Star's Recap: Edwin Encarnacion slam, J.P. Arencibia homer back Brandon Morrow in series opener. Kevin Gausman work in progress. Buoyed by Edwin Encarnacion’s grand slam, Toronto Blue Jays rout Baltimore Orioles | MLB | Sports | National PostThe National Post's recap: The eyes of baseball were focused on Toronto, for reasons having nothing to do with the local team Kevin Gausman shows flashes in debut, but Orioles fall to Blue Jays, 12-6 - baltimoresun.comA less happy recap: It didn't take long for Kevin Gausman to show why the Orioles have such high hopes for their prized right-hander. JAYS LINKS The Blue Jay Hunter: Jose Bautista: The One Man Wrecking CrewIan looks at Jose's amazing 1.000+ WPA night against the Rays with a shoutout to MinorLeaguer. Davis, Alford could join single-A Vancouver - Sportsnet.caTwo of the Toronto Blue Jays' dynamic young position players, D.J. Davis and Anthony Alford, are tentatively slated to join the Vancouver Canadians at the single-A level. Davidi: Stroman ready to resume climb to majors - Sportsnet.caAfter missing the first 50 games of the season due to suspension, Jays prospect Marcus Stroman is ready to return to the mound and begin his ascent to the majors, which could come sooner than later. Toronto Blue Jays’ Casey Janssen grateful for the long layoff | MLB | Sports | National PostCasey Janssen gave up a two-run homer. He figures that was a fair trade for eight days of rest MLB LINKS Visualization: Handedness through historyFrom Hardball Times: Good news for southpaws: there are now more LH batters in recent years than ever before. No Steroids, No Birthday Cake: Parsing MLB's Employee HandbookFrom Deadspin (NSFW sometimes) Congratulations! It's your first day working for Major League Baseball. You probably grew up a huge baseball fan, and while this isn't as good as actually playing, you're about to embark on a fun and rewarding career with MLB. But first, there's something you need to read and sign. Daily Notes: Kevin Gausman Preparedness Manual | FanGraphs BaseballIt seems the Jays read up on it before the game. Nickname Watch: The Baby-Faced Assassin | NotGraphs BaseballSometimes, it's better to get a nickname like Killer or Maddog or Boots. Hey, Shane Victorino, HIGH FIVE!From Deadspin (NSFW sometimes) Koji Uehara came on in the eighth inning and retired the White Sox in order. He was a little fired up when he returned to the dugout, where Shane Victorino got caught looking. Astros vendor fired after taking snow cones with him into the bathroom | MLB | Sports | National PostEw. Seriously, ew. If you've ever seen the comedy show, The League then you might have seen an invention known as the Bathroom Cubby or the Dump Locker. Someone in Houston should have used it before selling his sno cones A vendor at Houston's Minute Maid Park has been fired after a fan filmed him taking a tray of snow cones into a stadium bathroom TODAY IN LOB-ster HISTORY Baseball History - May 24th - National Pastime - Baseball History1994 At Busch Stadium, the Cardinals set a major league record when they leave 16 men stranded on the bases without scoring. The Phillies take advantage of the Redbirds' lack of timely hitting and beat St. Louis, 4-0. 2011 Jo Jo Reyes makes his 28th straight start without recording a victory, tying the major league record shared by Cliff Curtis (1910-11, Braves, Cubs, Phillies) and Matt Keough (1978-79, A's). The Blue Jays southpaw, who leaves the game trailing 5-0 to New York after just three innings of work, hasn't won a start since June 13, 2008. Poll Which will happen first? Kawasaki Hits a Home Run JPA tak

May 23 (Reuters) – Former Red Sox manager Terry Francona enjoyed his return to Fenway Park on Thursday as his new team, the Cleveland Indians, hammered Boston 12-3. Francona won two World Series in eight years at the helm of the Red Sox before leaving at the end of the 2011 season and was making his first trip back as an opposing manager since taking over at Cleveland. … View full post on Yahoo! Sports – MLB – Toronto Blue Jays News

The affiliates were 1-3 on the night. The one win came on the back of a rejuvenated Daniel Norris, whose ten strikeouts over four innings of work was by far his best professional performance. Ryan Schimpf had four hits in a losing effort and Josh Thole went deep for Buffalo. The Lugnuts are on an eight game winning streak. Indianapolis 7 Buffalo 3It was 7-1 by the fourth inning and Indianapolis never looked back. While starter Justin Germano was hit around in this one?lasting three innings?his relievers put in a solid six innings of one hit baseball. Michael Schwimer pitched two of those innings and presumably would be the next guy up if someone were to be needed in Toronto. At the plate, Josh Thole went deep and Ryan Goins had two doubles.New Hampshire 4 Portland 8The Blue Jays AA affiliate fell to a rehabbing Franklin Morales. Ryan Schimpf, as mentioned at the top, had four hits and led the way offensively. The Fisher Cats, however, proved good studies of their parent club, kicking the ball around three times leading to three unearned runs. Only one hit for Kevin Pillar on the night.St. Lucie 8 Dunedin 5The Dunedin Blue Jays were done in by a big inning late. A five spot in the eighth inning chased Danny Barnes from the game. Barnes did not record an out. It was quiet night at the plate (starting to see the pattern?) for the Baby Jays. The Dunedin squad did muster a come back in the ninth, but Marcus Knecht?who has really stalled as a prospect?popped out with the bases loaded and Andy Burns flied out to end the game.Lake County 1 Lansing 6A big night for Daniel Norris. Norris struck out ten over four innings. He struck out the side in the second, third, and fourth. Yes, there were two walks, but the overall stat line is impressive and a big improvement from his work so far as a pro. His start today actually builds on several solid outings. Let?s hope he?s turned a corner here. At the plate, Dwight Smith Jr. had two hits and Kevin Pattterson had three hits and a homer.In other news, Balbino Fuenmayor has been released by the Lugnuts and Blue Jays. For those who remember, Fuenmayor was the first big 16 year old signing out of Latin America under J.P. Ricciardi after it became clear that they were completely wrong to walk away from the international scene and high school players. Blessed with impressive power, Fuenmayor put together a promising season in the Gulf Coast League at 18. It never got much better for him and he repeated Lansing not once, not twice, not thrice, but four times?ironic considering he struggled so much to take the walk. I got to see Fuenmayor in action on several occasions and he had that ability to convince you in short periods he was bound for greatness. It?s part of the reason why I think he was signed by the Jays at the time. As I recall, Ricciardi had a particular disdain for scouting and the ?process? and creating connections with families and kids. In my mind Ricciardi probably saw a batting practice and hoping to appease a section of the fan base (Us!) and possibly ownership, signed the kid. He had the body and the power, but a thorough look or simply more frequently revealed a poor approach and poor contact skills. He put on weight and while there was some discussion when he was teenager that he?d be able to play third, those conversations quieted as he entered full season ball. The Jays have spent big these past few years in Latin America and there are sure to be a few more Balbino?s coming down the line. Let?s hope for less.Good luck Balbino!Three Stars3. Josh Thole2. Ryan Schimpf1. Daniel NorrisBox Scores

TORONTO, Ont. – The Blue Jays continued their strong run at home of late by pasting their divisional rivals from Baltimore in the opener of a four-game series. Toronto has won six of their last seven at Rogers Centre as they continue their long, slow climb back to the .500 mark. Blue Jays Talk Here are three things that stood out to me about the game: PHENOM SHMENOM The Orioles were very excited to give the ball to 22-year-old Kevin Gausman for his major-league debut, and the Blue Jays were thrilled to hand him his first big-league loss. The baby-faced righty, drafted fourth overall just 11 months ago, showed some incredible stuff with a fastball that sat comfortably at 95-96 M.P.H. for his entire outing and touched 99. Gausman also showed off a big-time change-up, and he looked pretty terrific in his first trip through the Jays’ lineup, allowing just a pair of singles. The Blue Jays got to Gausman the next time through. Well, at least Adam Lind and J.P. Arencibia did. They led off the fourth with back-to-back doubles – Arencibia’s coming on the first pitch. A bunt single by Brett Lawrie followed and Gausman then walked Colby Rasmus to load the bases with nobody out, but a botched suicide squeeze and an atom ball by Melky Cabrera resulted in the Jays scoring only one more run in the inning. Lind and Arencibia struck again the next inning, though. This time Lind belted a single over the shortstop with two out and nobody on and Arencibia crushed Gausman’s next pitch over the left-field wall to give the Jays the lead for good. WEAR YOUR HAT STRAIGHT Orioles’ reliever Pedro Strop brought back memories of Rays’ closer Fernando Rodney as he came out of the bullpen in the bottom of the sixth with his cap askew. As they’ve done to Rodney twice already this season, the Blue Jays showed their displeasure with Strop’s sartorial choice by roughing him up on the mound. On Wednesday evening, Jose Bautista took Rodney deep leading off the bottom of the ninth to tie the game and set up his own heroics in the next inning. It was Rodney’s second blown save against the Jays this season. Strop couldn’t blow a save, having come in with the Orioles trailing by a run, but he allowed the Blue Jays to blow the game wide open by walking Bautista to load the bases and then serving up an Edwin Encarnacion grand slam off of the left-field foul screen. Personally, I don’t understand why so many fans seem to have such an issue with pitchers wearing their hats off to one side, but apparently the Blue Jays don’t seem to like it very much, either. THAT’S SOME SPEED Anthony Gose is here to spell off the hobbling Melky Cabrera, play terrific defence and be a great pair of legs off the bench. But while he’s around he might as well do some things that bring the audience out of their seats, shaking their heads in excited disbelief. He did just that in the eighth inning. Gose was on second with nobody out and the Blue Jays were up by two, with Bautista at first and Encarnacion at the plate. O’s reliever T.J. McFarland threw a pitch that bounced off the glove of catcher Matt Wieters and rolled away about 10 feet or so. Both runners took off. Wieters knew that he had no chance to get Gose, so he took a shot at Bautista going to second. As soon as Gose saw Wieters let go of the ball, he rounded third and sprinted for home, just sliding in safely under the return throw. It was just your everyday score from second base on a passed ball, no big deal. It was a move that came from confidence – some might say hubris – as opposed to being really well thoughtout. Had the Blue Jays been down a run or two, it would have been disastrous had he been thrown out (and he might have been, replays were inconclusive), but boy, was it a lot of fun to watch. The post Wilner on Blue Jays: Gose shows off his speed appeared first on Sportsnet.ca.

Blue Jays 12 Orioles 6 I''ll put a real recap up in the morning, but we are going to go out for a beer or two. Great game for the Jays, Edwin Encarnacion hit a grand slam, J.P. Arencibia homed. Anthony Gose scored from second on a passed ball, the O's tried to get Jose Bautista at second base, and Gose turned third and continued home. From where I sat, it looked like he was out, but the umpire was much closer. Brandon Morrow wasn't good, but made through 7 innings and with the 12 we scored, he got the win. 10 hits against for Morrow. Dirk Hayhurst was nice enough to stop by and say hit and chat with us for an inning or so. I'll add more in the morning, but you all can use this to discuss the game.