Toronto Blue Jays news, rumors and injuries

Sat, 08 Mar 2014 17:19:15 -0800

The Toronto Blue Jays have signed SP Radhames Liz (Korean League) to a minor league contract.

Share: | Source: Baseball America - Matt Eddy

Sat, 08 Mar 2014 15:10:29 -0800

The Toronto Blue Jays are considered one of the two favorites to sign free-agent SP Ervin Santana (Royals), along with the Baltimore Orioles. The Jays' offer is believed to be slightly more attractive. A report from ESPN Deportes Saturday, March 8, claimed that the Blue Jays had inked Santana to a one-year deal worth $14 million but a contradictory report from FOXSports.com claimed that Santana had not agreed to terms and was willing to wait before deciding upon a new team.

Share: | Source: MLB.com - Adam Berry

Sat, 08 Mar 2014 09:43:19 -0800

The Toronto Blue Jays are working on signing free-agent SP Ervin Santana (Royals), but they do not have an agreement at this point.

Share: | Source: FOXSports.com - Jon Paul Morosi

Fri, 07 Mar 2014 15:02:51 -0800

The Toronto Blue Jays sent SS Kevin Nolan, 3Bs Andy Burns and Andy LaRoche and OF Ricardo Nanita to minor league camp Friday, March 7.

Share: | Source: Canadian Baseball Network - Jay Blue

Fri, 07 Mar 2014 09:49:02 -0800

Toronto Blue Jays OF Colby Rasmus (neck) received an injection in his neck to "loosen it up," and he should be ready to resume baseball activities Saturday, March 8.

Share: | Source: The Fan 590 CJCL - Mike Wilner

Thu, 06 Mar 2014 12:44:40 -0800

Toronto Blue Jays SP Marcus Stroman has been praised this spring and has started to use a changeup on a regular basis after previously having a glaring need for a third pitch to go along with his overpowering fastball and wipeout slider. Many considered him to be ready for the major leagues, but earlier this spring he was seen as a long shot to win a rotation job.

Share: | Source: MLB.com - Gregor Chisholm

Thu, 06 Mar 2014 12:42:18 -0800

Toronto Blue Jays SP Drew Hutchison's velocity is consistently in the mid-90s this spring after having Tommy John surgery in 2012, and he's receiving rave reviews from the team in camp. Hutchison could be considered a front-runner for the final rotation spot.

Share: | Source: MLB.com - Gregor Chisholm

Tue, 04 Mar 2014 18:08:27 -0800

Toronto Blue Jays OF Colby Rasmus struggled during the early part of his career, especially during his time with the St. Louis Cardinals. However, he really came on in the second half last season, and he credits having the confidence to follow his instincts and blend his own ideas with the advice of the coaches, rather than just listen strictly to the coaching staff.

Rasmus has made two important adjustments, one mechanical and one mental. He lowered his hands in his batting stance, and started to relax, approaching each at-bat with a clearer mind. "Something that hurt me that I never really recognized when I played for St. Louis, (former manager Tony La Russa) would always try to get me to stay on top and hit a line drive," Rasmus said. "That would get my hands working up to down and my swing going out of the zone. So last year I started lowering my hands a little bit, trying to get my swing more through the zone, a little more level, and that seemed to help."

Fantasy Tip: Rasmus is still a work in progress. He had a .356 BABIP, or batting average on balls in play, which was way above the league average of .300. It is believed he had considerable luck at times last season. And he struck out a little too much for the liking of the coaching staff, and fantasy owners. He is a must-have AL-only fantasy option, and he is worth using in most mixed formats, although you can still wait until the later rounds on draft day to get him.

Share: | Source: National Post - John Lott

Mon, 03 Mar 2014 08:42:25 -0800

Toronto Blue Jays OF Colby Rasmus (neck) doesn't think his stiff neck is a serious issue and expects to be back playing in a "couple of days." "I feel all right, I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning," Rasmus said. "I got a little crick in my neck and it's just one of those things that after throwing and warming up, I just felt like I needed to take myself out."

Share: | Source: The Associated Press

Sun, 02 Mar 2014 11:24:08 -0800

Updating a previous report, Toronto Blue Jays RP Casey Janssen's (shoulder) throwing schedule for the next week will be limited due to minor shoulder soreness. He will need to throw several side sessions before seeing his first Grapefruit League game action.

Share: | Source: MLB.com - Gregor Chisholm

Sun, 02 Mar 2014 07:56:16 -0800

Toronto Blue Jays OF Colby Rasmus (neck) was scratched from the team's spring training game Sunday, March 2, with a stiff neck.

Share: | Source: MLB.com - Gregor Chisholm

Sat, 01 Mar 2014 11:45:15 -0800

Toronto Blue Jays RP Sergio Santos (illness) was scratched from his outing Friday, Feb. 28, because of a stomach virus. He is expected to pitch in a Grapefruit League game against the Philadelphia Phillies Tuesday, March 4.

Share: | Source: MLB.com - Gregor Chisholm

Sat, 01 Mar 2014 11:32:41 -0800

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said 2B Ryan Goins has won the competition to be the team's starting second baseman over INF Maicer Izturis. "Goins is our guy right now," Gibbons said. "We want to see him do his thing. There's always a chance. Opening Day is (Tampa Bay's) David Price so maybe you'd rather have a righty facing him, that could always be a possibility. But we're giving Goins every opportunity to be the guy."

Fantasy Tip: The left-handed-hitting Goins is known more for his glove than his bat, so he should only be considered in the later rounds of AL-only fantasy leagues. Izturis is expected to serve as the team's primary utility infielder and also carries little fantasy value.

Share: | Source: MLB.com - Gregor Chisholm

Sat, 01 Mar 2014 08:24:57 -0800

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said 3B Brett Lawrie (hamstring) will not play Saturday, March 1, because of a tight hamstring. Gibbons said Lawrie wanted to play, but the team is being cautious.

Share: | Source: MLB.com - Gregor Chisholm

Sat, 01 Mar 2014 08:24:21 -0800

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said RP Casey Janssen (shoulder) will be given a few days off because of a tender shoulder. Gibbon said the injury is nothing major.

Share: | Source: MLB.com - Gregor Chisholm