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KISSIMMEE, Florida – It was Caesar who was warned to "beware the ides of March" in the famous Shakespeare play. The Blue Jays dont have a Caesar but they do have someone whos getting used to an annual March controversy. Hes J.A. Happ, who was back after two days away from the ballclub without the certainty of a spot in the rotation. General manager Alex Anthopoulos told the media on Thursday there are now two available starting jobs. Previously, there had been one. But Happ has struggled in two spring appearances as he works through what the Blue Jays say is a sore back. Happ has heard Anthopoulos comments but believes he will be among the group of five starters come opening day. "Yes," Happ told TSN.ca. "Uh huh. Still feel that way." Amid rumours the Blue Jays are players for Ervin Santana, the last marquee free agent starter available, the emergence of a healthy Drew Hutchison and the consideration being given to Marcus Stroman, the potential is there for Happ to be squeezed out of the picture. "As far as the Santana thing, Ive got no control over that," said Happ. "The Alex (comments,) Im not sure. That wasnt the impression I have had. I guess I dont have a comment for it." Happ hadnt been seen at camp since before Anthopoulos comment. He returned on Sunday in time to see off teammates who were about to make the two-hour bus trek to play the Astros in Kissimmee. The diagnosis is back inflammation, causing Happ general back soreness. "Its really nothing," said Happ, who didnt wish to describe the nature of the treatment hes been receiving. "Were just trying to take care of it. We needed to get a few days rest. We took care of a few things and I just kind of needed to be off my feet for a few days in order to recover from that. Well go from there. Well take it a day at a time. In my mind Im feeling better and feel like progressing and jump right back into an outing here soon." In two spring appearances, Happ has a 40.50 ERA, having allowed six earned runs in just 1 1/3 innings. Hes walked five hitters, but isnt willing to use his back pain as an excuse. "Its one of those things and Ive always said it, if you go out there theres no excuse," he said. "You find a way to pitch. It was by no means me having to find a way. I felt good enough. It may have contributed to it but hopefully it doesnt matter. I think, moving forward, I anticipate it not being an issue so that will feel good." DICKEY LOOKING STRONG R.A. Dickey pitched five scoreless innings in Sundays 4-3 loss to the Astros. The outing dropped his spring ERA to 2.45 over three starts. His knuckleball is dancing, the velocities are significantly varied and most of all, Dickey feels healthy. Hes more comfortable heading into his second year with the Blue Jays. "You look forward to a routine," said Dickey. "When that routine is interrupted sometimes it can mess things up, especially when youre older and thats something Im learning. "Getting to come into the clubhouse every day," he said. "Not having to depart and be away from my teammates; getting to really do relationships with those guys; getting to prepare in-between starts the way that I like to; take ground balls on the half-field in-between starts. All that is part of getting ready." There were high expectations for the 2013 Blue Jays. Those expectations werent met. Asked what he would say about the 2014 version of his club, Dickey offered a wry, deadpanned response. "I think were terrible," joked Dickey. "I dont want anybody to take us seriously and I think that because of last year were probably going to get walked over every game." DICKEYS REMAINING SPRING SCHEDULE Dickey has three spring starts left before opening day after his 82-pitch, five-inning performance on Sunday. He intends to throw about 100 pitches in each of his next two starts and then shorten his final appearance in preparation for opening day, March 31 in Tampa Bay. CAMP CUTS The Blue Jays reduced their major league camp roster by four after Sundays game. Catcher A.J. Jimenez, outfielder Kenny Wilson and pitchers Deck McGuire and Rob Rasmussen, all of whom are on the 40-man roster, were sent to minor league camp. . "Ive got a lot of work to do on this team and the sooner that I can get back to my office and start that work, itll be better," he said straight-faced as the rest of the room erupted in laughter. . THE THUNDER & PACERS BENCHES: In a nutshell, not impressive at all. .com) - The Toronto Maple Leafs will try to play spoiler as the Los Angeles Kings will try to match their longest winning streak in over four years in Thursdays battle at Staples Center. .Y. -- AJ Allmendingers journey is almost complete. .com) - The Buffalo Bills will return to the friendly confines of Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday when they welcome the upstart Cleveland Browns to town. DALLAS -- The way the New Jersey Devils defence played on Thursday night, they didnt need much offence. What they did need, the Devils got from Patrik Elias. Elias scored a power-play goal 40 seconds into overtime to give the New Jersey Devils a 3-2 victory over the Dallas Stars. "It always comes back to bite you when you play that poorly and take a penalty," Stars coach Lindy Ruff said. New Jersey allowed only 16 shots and scored twice on the power play. "Huge, two power-play goals," New Jersey coach Peter DeBoer said. "It probably didnt need to get to overtime if we could have buried some of our chances, but we did on the power play and that was critical." The Stars tied the score on Tyler Seguins goal with 52 seconds remaining in regulation play. Dainius Zubrus scored in the first period and Travis Zajac added a goal in the second to give New Jersey a 2-0 lead. Jamie Benn scored on a backhand at 10:52 of the second to cut the deficit to 2-1. The Devils, allowing the fewest shots per game of any NHL team, held Dallas to its season low. Cory Schneider made 14 saves for his second victory over the Stars this season. Elias and Zajac each had an assist and Jaromir Jagr assisted on two goals for New Jersey. Seguin added an assist for Dallas. Kari Lehtonen made 21 saves. He has allowed only six goals in losing three of his last four games against New Jersey The Devils dominated early. Dallas didnt put a shot on goal until a 5-on-3 advantage more than five minutes in. Even during that 75-second stretch, the Stars had only one shot. "Im embarrassed myself with that," Seguin said. "Thats unacceptable." Ruff said: "It was just a killer." DeBoer called the 5-on-3 penalty kill "huge." "t;It would have been easy there to lose our focus.dddddddddddd We didnt. We buckled down. To get out of the first period up was key." New Jersey scored first, at 10:59 of the first period. Zubrus sent a slap shot from the right faceoff circle over Lehtonens glove and into the right corner. Dallas had its best scoring chance a minute and a half before the end of the first period. Cody Eakin took a pass in the slot but shot the puck into Schneiders body. For the period, New Jersey outshot the Stars 7-4. The four shots tied Dallas season low for a period. Lehtonen prevented another Devils goal three minutes into the second period when he made a glove save on Zajac while prone on the ice. Zajac did score on a power play at 9:50 of the second, when he tipped Damien Brunners drive past Lehtonen. Barely a minute later, Dallas broke through for its first goal against Schneider in more than 90 minutes this season. Benn took a pass from Seguin with his back to the goal and backhanded the puck into the net. New Jersey again had an advantage in shots, 7-6, with the Devils final two shots short-handed NOTES: Schneider has the only shutout against Dallas this season, with 26 saves in a 1-0 victory Jan. 9. . The Devils season low in shots allowed for a game is 15 ... In the Stars previous seven games they averaged 33 shots on goal ... Dallas fewest shots in a game this season had been 18 in a 4-3 victory at Chicago Dec. 3. ... New Jersey won both games between the teams this season ... The Stars streak of scoring a power-play goal in eight consecutive games ended ... Play was stopped during the third period because a panel of glass broke above the boards ... Dallas recalled C Dustin Jeffrey from Texas of the American Hockey League Thursday, but he was inactive for the game. ' ' '
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