Toronto Blue Jays: A Pitcher's Worst Nightmare

No, I don't meant that because they hit well. I mean that because they tend to injure arms. A lot. Here is a sampling of injuries that have taken place since 2006 to pitchers wearing a Toronto uniform.

Shaun Marcum: Marcum had a stellar start to his 2008 season before he suffered a dreaded arm injury. Marcum attempted to come back from it, only to suffer elbow pain and fall victim to the dreaded Tommy John surgery. He was 26 at the time of his injury, and is due back late this season.

Dustin McGowan: McGowan showed much promise and poise in the 2007 season, throwing 18 quality starts. Having a mid-90s fastball, he was seen as a great pitcher with a bright future. However, in 2008, he suffered fraying in his labrum, which is the ring of cartilidge around the edge of the shoulder. McGowan would undergo surgery. He has yet to pitch in 2009, and rotoworld reports that his career may be in jeopardy. He, too, was 26 at the time of his injury.

Casey Janssen: Janssen went 2-3 with a 2.35 ERA, six saves, a WHIP of 1.197, and a modest 4.8 Ks per 9 pitched Janssen would go on to miss all of 2008 with a torn labrum (He was 26 at the time of his injury). Janssen finally returned in May of 2009, and hasn't been the same since. His ERA has skyrocketed to 6.23, and his Ks per 9 has diminished to 3.8 while his WHIP has skyrocketed to 1.808.

B.J. Ryan: Ryan had a phenomenal 2005, making the All Star team (for the Orioles), and having an ERA of 2.43 while collecting 36 saves. That off season, he signed with the Blue Jays for a record five year, 47 million dollar deal. He certainly showed that he earned it in 2006, making a trip to the All Star game while recording a miniscule ERA of 1.37 and inceasing his saves total to 38. Then, it all went downhill. In 2007, Ryan underwent Tommy John surgery. In 2008, Ryan returned, recording 32 saves. However, Ryan returned to the DL in 2009, and lost the closers job to Scott Downs. Ryan was 31 at the time of his TJ surgery. Speaking of which...

Scott Downs: Scott Downs is currently on the DL with a sprained left toe that he sustained while running out a grounder. While this isn't a pitching sustained injury, it is still something that could have been avoided if management had made a better decision and not risked their closer to batting and running in a National League ballpark. Downs was 33 at the time of his injury.

Jesse Litsch: Litsch showed much promise in 2008, going 13-9 with a 3.58 ERA in 176 IP. He started off poorly in 2009, throwing only nine innings and giving up nine earned runs. He did have eight strikeouts, though. Litsch is currently done for the season, falling victim to the dreaded Tommy John surgery. He was 24 at the time of his injury.

Ricky Romero: Romero showed poise in his first few starts, before falling on the DL. Now, some of you may call this a cheap inclusion, since he strained his oblique while sneezing. But I felt I had to include it for the shear comedy of it. He, too, was 24 at the time of his injury.

Why is all of this relevant? BlueJays' ace Harry LeRoy Halladay is on the DL with a pulled groin. He's only been on the DL twice in his career for pitching-related injures (both in 2004, with his shoulder. I do not count his appendectomy in 2005). I think that Halladay's recent injury may be only the beginning for the Jays' ace.

In fairness, most of these injuries (we won't really count Ryan and Downs) have occurred in 2008 or 2009. What changed in Toronto? John Gibbons was manager until June 20, 2008. He can take credit for possibly overworking the young arms (Marcum threw 159 innings in 2007 and 151 and a third in 2008, Litsch threw 176 innings in 2008 at the tender age of 23, and McGowan threw 169.2 innings in 2007 and 111 and a third in 2008). Perhaps Cito Gaston, manager of the 92 and 93 World Series winning Blue Jays can right the ship. Or at least not be known as CITO: DESTROYER OF PITCHERS.

Sammy Sosa tested positive for Steroids

This is a little belated, but I'm sure you've all heard the news by now.  

This comes as a shock to no one, as it was long rumored that Sosa did steroids in the 90s.  Perhaps the most damning evidence of this was the fact that he fell off drastically in 2004 (when steroid testing began) and didn't reclaim the glory that he once had in the late 90s.  In 2004, his OPS fell below .900 for the first time since 1997, the season before he fought with McGwire to break Roger Maris' seemingly untouchable record of 61 home runs in one season.

In his final seasons (2004, 2005, 2007), Sosa hit just 70 home runs, a huge drop off from earlier in his career (remember, he did hit 60+ home runs 3 times in his career, and is currently the only player to do so).

The biggest impact, since Sosa is now retired, is that he probably will not make the hall of fame as a result of this "revelation".  However, before I make any definitive judgements on this, I am waiting until Palmeiro goes up for the vote, as he should be the perfect litmus test for the steroid era.  

Braves Release Glavine

You all have heard by now. The Braves released Tom Glavine. I for one, am not happy.

This was done as a clear money-saving move by Frank Wren. Tom Glavine pitched well in what was supposed to be his final rehab start. Granted, his velocity is down, but that happens with age. Greg Maddux made a career of pitching in the mid 80s, and right now, Frank Wren is telling me that Tom Glavine can't do it.

Tom Glavine, for all he's done for the Braves, deserves better than this. He deserves the chance to prove himself at the major league level once more. Frank Wren refuses to face facts and admit that the Braves are not contenders this year. Tom Glavine in the rotation is something he deserves. Not only that, but Tom Glavine is a veteran presence and could help younger guys, like Medlen and Hanson mature. Even if he couldn't be effective as a starter, he still is a clubhouse presence. At least offer him the chance to remain with the Braves as a coach.

This move comes as no surprise, given how Frank Wren treated Smoltz in the offseason. Ultimately, the man is a horrid GM given his lack of respect for veteran players.