Jays Call Up 2 Hurlers As Halladay And Downs Hit The DL
Posted June 18, 2009 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
After all the problems the Blue Jays have had keeping pitchers healthy this year, you might not think fate would reward them with two more key injuries. But that’s exactly what happened, after the team confirmed on Thursday it was placing starter Roy Halladay and closer Scott Downs on the 15-day disabled list.
They’re both key losses, since Halladay is the ace and is considered a losing streak stopper while Downs has been as solid as they come following the injury-plagued comeback of former closer B.J. Ryan.
Halladay suffered a groin strain in last Friday’s start and had to leave a game against the Florida Marlins after just four innings. His DL placement has been backdated to the following day, so the earliest he could return is June 28th.
Downs is out with a toe sprain suffered during an at bat in Tuesday’s game against the Phillies. He won’t be back until July 3rd at the earliest.
Until then, the Jays will have to make do with some tentative replacements. Jeremy Accardo (top left), who impressed as a late inning reliever last year until he suffered arm problems, is back.
His success in the Pacific Coast League has been split, with a 2-1 record, nine saves and a respectable 3.38 ERA.
Brad Mills, a left handed pitcher, joined Accardo on the flight from Nevada. The 24-year-old made his first major league start on Thursday in an afternoon game in Philadelphia. He’s not exactly what the doctor ordered – in this case, “Doc” Halladay – but with few options left, the Jays are being forced to give him a shot.
He arrives with an uninspiring 1-8 record in Las Vegas, and a 4.48 ERA in 13 games.
Despite the fact the 2009 Jays have been forced to start the season without strong performers Dustin McGowan and Shaun Marcum and have now temporarily lost their ace, they’re somehow still in the race, just a couple of games behind the Yankees for the wild card position.
And they’re not done with the roster moves. There are only 24 players on the bench. The remaining spot will be filled before they play the Nationals in Washington on Saturday.
Photo credit: Dave Sandford/Getty Images
