Jays get ‘good news’ on slugger Morales
Gibbons hopeful DH will avoid DL with sore hamstring
TORONTO • Kendrys Morales had an MRI on Wednesday and John Gibbons termed the results “good news.”
The Blue Jays’ big designated hitter is dealing with a sore left hamstring after i njuring it in Tuesday’s 6- 0 loss to Cleveland, but Toronto’s manager is hopeful that Morales will only miss “a day or two” and avoid the 10- day disabled list.
Gibbons added that the Jays will get a better idea of Morales’ status on Thursday.
Morales has batted .244 with six home runs and 20 RBIs in 127 atbats in his first season since signing with the Jays as a free agent.
FEELING GOOD
Defending American League ERA champion Aaron Sanchez said before Wednesday’s game that he “feels great” and is on track to return to the rotation on Sunday against Seattle.
Sanchez threw 60 pitches on Tuesday and all went well.
He has been on the DL since April 16 due to a blister issue.
TULO CLOSE TOO
Gibbons said shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, out since April 22 due to a hamstring strain of his own, is set to start rehab in Florida on Saturday.
The plan is to get Tulowitzki into a few games and if all goes well, the former all-star could rejoin the team and be in the lineup for next Wednesday’s game in Atlanta.
STEPPING UP
Gibbons has been impressed by the work done by backup infielders Ryan Goins and Darwin Barney in place of Tulowitzki and former American League MVP Josh Donaldson.
He said he isn’t sure where the Jays would be without them.
“They both have played really good. Ryan, he’s hit a couple of big home runs. He’s played great defence and Barney, too. Barney always has that knack of doing something right at the right time,” Gibbons said.
“They both understand their roles and both have a pretty good idea of what they’re doing. They’ve done a nice job.”
Gibbons said Goins will see some time at third base when Tulowitzki returns to his duties at shortstop.
DEFENSIVE ISSUES
Yes, Kevin Pillar’s catch the other night was spectacular, and Goins and others are tremendous fielders, but if you think Toronto has struggled defensively this season, you are correct.
According to the MLB scouting service Inside Edge, only division rivals Tampa Bay and Boston have more defensive giveaways ( through Monday’s games) than Toronto’s 55. Defensive giveaways are errors, fielders choice with no out, passed balls and poor plays that are not ruled as errors ( such as allowing a pop- up to fall in for a hit).
The Rays had 62 defensive giveaways through Monday, Boston 56, Toronto 55. Cincinnati and Minnesota tied for the fewest (31), Florida had 32 and the Angels had 33.
Inside Edge tweeted Wednesday that the offensively challenged Blue Jays have been that way in part due to some bad luck.
Three Jays rank in the top 19 in the majors for most hard- hit balls that result in an out.
Jose Bautista is tied with two other players with 10 hard outs, which trails only Detroit’s Nicholas Castellanos and Baltimore’s Manny Machado. Pillar and Morales each have nine, along with a host of other players.