Post by #1 Jays Fan on Mar 12, 2008 11:29:54 GMT -5
TAMPA, Fla. -- Gustavo Chacin is no longer in the running to be the fifth starter for the Toronto Blue Jays, who suddenly found themselves with some other things to worry about Tuesday.
The left-hander was pounded for four runs in two innings of a 6-1 Grapefruit League drubbing from the New York Yankees.
His poor outing came after right-hander Casey Janssen was scratched from a simulated game in the morning due to soreness in his right shoulder and was scheduled to undergo an MRI.
The potential loss of Janssen, slated to be either the club's fifth starter or set-up man, would be a big blow to the team, although there was no immediate word on the severity of the injury.
Chacin gave up five hits in two innings and is still struggling to build up his arm strength from shoulder surgery last fall.
"I think I am 80 per cent right now, but I am feeling better every time out," Chacin said.
That slow buildup is why Chacin was never really considered a likely candidate for the fifth starter's job,
"No, he hasn't been. We knew that," said Jays manager John Gibbons.
The Blue Jays got some better news on closer B.J. Ryan threw, who a simulated game and is scheduled to make his first spring appearance Friday.
He had elbow ligament replacement surgery last May.
"Ryan looked very good today," Gibbons said.
Chien-Ming Wang pitched shutout ball into the fourth inning and Alex Rodriguez hit a two-run homer for the Yankees.
Wang, expected to be New York's opening-day starter, rebounded from a dismal start against Cincinnati last Thursday when he gave up six runs and six hits in two-thirds of an inning.
"Great," New York manager Joe Girardi said. "Especially after the first inning. Each inning I thought he actually looked better."
Wang struck out one and walked two in 3 2-3 innings. He allowed two hits.
Bobby Abreu drove in a pair of runs with a double during the Yankees' four-run first off Chacin. New York also got a solo homer from Jason Lane.
Aaron Hill hit a run-scoring double for Toronto.
Yankees left-fielder Johnny Damon, who fouled a ball off his right foot Monday, underwent X-rays and an MRI, which were both negative. Listed as day to day, Damon didn't play Tuesday and is not scheduled to travel for Wednesday's road game against Tampa Bay.
"Johnny has a bruised toe," Girardi said. "It doesn't feel good. It might be a couple days."
Wednesday's game between New York and the Rays is the first meeting since last Saturday when Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli broke his right wrist when Tampa Bay's Eliot Johnson ran into him while trying to score.
Girardi was upset by the play, but thinks there will be no carry-over.
"I'm not worried," Girardi said. "We'll play baseball tomorrow. Approach tomorrow like any other day."
Cervelli will undergo surgery Wednesday in New York. He could miss 10 weeks.
Notes: Actor Billy Crystal, who will play for the Yankees on Thursday against Pittsburgh, was assigned the locker between INF Cody Ransom and LHP Heath Phillips. The locker was previously used by promising reliever Mark Melancon, who was reassigned to minor league camp on March 8. ... Yankees 1B Shelley Duncan bruised his shin when he fouled a ball off his leg. The injury is not considered serious.
The left-hander was pounded for four runs in two innings of a 6-1 Grapefruit League drubbing from the New York Yankees.
His poor outing came after right-hander Casey Janssen was scratched from a simulated game in the morning due to soreness in his right shoulder and was scheduled to undergo an MRI.
The potential loss of Janssen, slated to be either the club's fifth starter or set-up man, would be a big blow to the team, although there was no immediate word on the severity of the injury.
Chacin gave up five hits in two innings and is still struggling to build up his arm strength from shoulder surgery last fall.
"I think I am 80 per cent right now, but I am feeling better every time out," Chacin said.
That slow buildup is why Chacin was never really considered a likely candidate for the fifth starter's job,
"No, he hasn't been. We knew that," said Jays manager John Gibbons.
The Blue Jays got some better news on closer B.J. Ryan threw, who a simulated game and is scheduled to make his first spring appearance Friday.
He had elbow ligament replacement surgery last May.
"Ryan looked very good today," Gibbons said.
Chien-Ming Wang pitched shutout ball into the fourth inning and Alex Rodriguez hit a two-run homer for the Yankees.
Wang, expected to be New York's opening-day starter, rebounded from a dismal start against Cincinnati last Thursday when he gave up six runs and six hits in two-thirds of an inning.
"Great," New York manager Joe Girardi said. "Especially after the first inning. Each inning I thought he actually looked better."
Wang struck out one and walked two in 3 2-3 innings. He allowed two hits.
Bobby Abreu drove in a pair of runs with a double during the Yankees' four-run first off Chacin. New York also got a solo homer from Jason Lane.
Aaron Hill hit a run-scoring double for Toronto.
Yankees left-fielder Johnny Damon, who fouled a ball off his right foot Monday, underwent X-rays and an MRI, which were both negative. Listed as day to day, Damon didn't play Tuesday and is not scheduled to travel for Wednesday's road game against Tampa Bay.
"Johnny has a bruised toe," Girardi said. "It doesn't feel good. It might be a couple days."
Wednesday's game between New York and the Rays is the first meeting since last Saturday when Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli broke his right wrist when Tampa Bay's Eliot Johnson ran into him while trying to score.
Girardi was upset by the play, but thinks there will be no carry-over.
"I'm not worried," Girardi said. "We'll play baseball tomorrow. Approach tomorrow like any other day."
Cervelli will undergo surgery Wednesday in New York. He could miss 10 weeks.
Notes: Actor Billy Crystal, who will play for the Yankees on Thursday against Pittsburgh, was assigned the locker between INF Cody Ransom and LHP Heath Phillips. The locker was previously used by promising reliever Mark Melancon, who was reassigned to minor league camp on March 8. ... Yankees 1B Shelley Duncan bruised his shin when he fouled a ball off his leg. The injury is not considered serious.
