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NEW YORK – It was only 338 days ag in this city, but at its other big league ballpark, Citi Field, that Steve Delabar was one of four Blue Jays representing the disappointing 2013 version of the ball club at the All-Star Game. On Tuesday afternoon in this city, but at its American League cathedral in the Bronx, Delabar was given the news that he was being optioned, the technical term for a demotion, to Triple-A Buffalo. “Its the business,” said Delabar. “Im not crushed or beat up. I understand the move. Its obviously a team move. They have to do this or designate someone and they dont want to do that so Im the guy right now. Theyre going to send me out.” The Blue Jays found themselves in a roster predicament thanks to two injuries that, while considered relatively minor, have left them short a bench player and a reliever. Brett Cecil tweaked his groin in the eighth inning on Friday night. He was not available for the two weekend games in Baltimore and was to be used only in a pinch on Tuesday night in New York. The ailment which affected Delabars status is Adam Linds. He fouled a pitch off his right foot in the sixth inning on Saturday. He required the assistance of a golf cart to get off the team bus on Sunday. Lind wore a walking boot and was on crutches, making the injury optically worse than the Jays say it is. “Thats just a precautionary think to take the weight off it,” said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. “The walking boot allows it to heal a lot sooner.” Lind is “day-to-day,” Anthopouloss words, and wasnt ruled out for Wednesdays game. Lets let the general manager explain. “The fact that we had the off-day, our bullpen is fresh and we needed to make a move,” said Anthopoulos. “Delabar hasnt performed as well as he did last year. He can use the consistent work. Its just a combination of things. We needed to clear up a spot to get an infielder up here and out of the relievers that were there, Chad (Jenkins) provided us a little more length right now and we can get Steve the work as well. That was the move for us, unless we were going to go the DL route.” Regardless of the reasons, this stings Delabar. He pitched to a 3.22 ERA and a 2.72 FIP in 58 2/3 innings in 2013, a key part of a strong bullpen, which was the saving grace of an injured, bad team. Now, he was at best the third right-handed bullpen option leading to Casey Janssen. Dustin McGowan took Delabars coveted eighth-inning role weeks ago and Sergio Santos, back from the disabled list, will get a chance to reestablish himself as a viable right-handed, late-inning guy. Delabars main issue has been fastball command. Hes seen his walk rate jump from 11.5 per cent last year to 14.8 per cent in 2014. Delabars strikeout rate has plummeted. He whiffed 32.4 per cent of enemy hitters in 2013 compared with 19.4 per cent this season. “Some small mechanical things that I was off line and it was causing me to be a little erratic in my command,” said Delabar. “Kind of cleaned that stuff up recently and theres really nothing to go down and really clean up; its just go down there and get some consistent innings and just work on what Ive been doing.” Munenori Kawasaki was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo and started at second base on Tuesday night. Kawasaki was hitting .276/.320/.388 and 11 of his 32 hits for the Bisons were doubles. “We dont know how long the move is going to be for,” said Anthopoulos. “Hes on the (40-man) roster, its a left-handed bat, were not facing any left-hander, will give you a good at-bat and you know all the other stuff he brings and so on. Hes someone who can grind an at-bat and the fact we dont face any left-handers, it makes sense for us. And he can also play the outfield if we needed him to.” . A judge had summoned Clemens and Brian McNamee to federal court in Brooklyn for settlement talks aimed at heading off a trial in the defamation case. McNamees lawyer emerged saying an agreement wasnt likely. "I think this is a case where the lines are deeply drawn in the sand," said attorney Richard Emery. . - Frankie (The Answer) Edgar dominated B. . Leverkusen said on Friday it signed Schmidt on a two-year contract. He guided Red Bull Salzburg to the Austrian championship this season. . Lost to Los Angeles in first round of playoffs. . Austin Watson, Scott Ford, Filip Forsberg and Mark Van Guilder had the other goals for the Admirals (30-21-12). Scott Darling made 30 saves for his 10th win of the season.Tulsa, OK (SportsNetwork.com) - Baylor offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery, a key part of the Bears rise to national prominence over the last four years, has been named the new head football coach at Tulsa. Montgomery, a finalist for the Broyles Award honoring college footballs top assistant coach in 2013, takes over a Tulsa program that fired Bill Blankenship on Dec. 1 after the Golden Hurricane concluded a second straight disappointing season. The 42-year-old Montgomery helped Baylor field one of the nations most potent offenses during his seven seasons as the teams offensive coordinator. The Bears have led the nation in total yards in each of the last two years, while ranking second in that category in both 2011 and 2012. Prior to joining the Bears staff, Montgomery spent five seasons as an assistant at Houston under current Baylor head coach Art Briles. The Texas native also worked alongside Briles for six years as the quarterbacks and backfield coaach at Stephensville High School, helping that program capture back-to-back Texas state championships in 1998 and 1999.dddddddddddd. For more than 20 years, Philip has been a rising star in Texas football, said Tulsa president Steadman Upham. We welcome Philip and his family to our campus and the Tulsa community. Montgomery, who has coached such distinguished college quarterbacks as 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, NCAA all-time passing leader Case Keenum, 2013 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year Bryce Petty and former NFL starter Kevin Kolb, will attempt to rebuild a Tulsa team coming off a 2-10 campaign that came on the heels of a 3-9 finish in 2013. Ive always wanted to be a head coach, but my family and I knew that it would take the right opportunity to get me to leave Waco. Tulsa is that special opportunity, Montgomery said. There is a lot of work to get done and trust me, Im already on it. Get ready for some fun, fast and physical football. ' ' '
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