MINNEAPOLIS - J.A. Happ returned to the Blue Jays in time for the clubs three-game series against the Twins. Hell be a long reliever for the foreseeable future, something with which hes not thrilled. "Its not necessarily what I prepared to do but if the phone rings and its me Im going to try and get guys out and take it from there," said Happ. "Other than that, I dont have a lot to say about the bullpen role." Happ entered spring training with a spot in the starting rotation. He pitched his way out of it, posting a 20.57 ERA in four appearances, battling inflammation in his back through most of March. After two poor outings, Happ was away from the club for two days, March 7-8, on what the Blue Jays termed "doctors orders" to remain off his feet. Happ returned and was no better in final two starts. The back issues, deemed to be a non-issue after Happs final appearance in a 22-5 loss to the Pirates on March 25, were the cause of his being placed on the disabled list the very next day. Happ made two rehab starts, one for Single-A Dunedin, the other for Triple-A Buffalo. With the Bisons, Happ struck out six hitters in 4 2/3 innings. The arrival of Happ, coupled with the optioning of catcher Erik Kratz to the Bisons, puts the Blue Jays back into an eight-man bullpen, three-man bench scenario. Another pitching decision is on the horizon with the impending return of closer Casey Janssen. Neil Wagner, Esmil Rogers, Todd Redmond and Happ are the four who could be realistically considered on the bubble. Both Rogers and Redmond are out of options. On merit, Redmonds earned the right to remain with the club. Happ has an option remaining but because he has more than five years of major league service time, he has the right to refuse assignment to the minor leagues. Rogers has given up four home runs in 8 1/3 innings of predominantly low leverage relief. However, he carries a $1.85-million ticket and is, indirectly, the asset the Blue Jays have from the John Farrell "trade" to Boston. Rogers was acquired from Cleveland for Mike Aviles, whom the Jays got from the Red Sox for Farrell, and Yan Gomes. Gomes, by the way, just signed a six-year extension with the Indians for $23-million. Or, the Blue Jays could simply option Neil Wagner back to Triple-A Buffalo, although that would fly in the face of any claim to stick with the best 25-man active roster. Manager John Gibbons trusts Wagner in high leverage, late-game situations but when Janssen is back, right-handers Steve Delabar and Sergio Santos will fill that role. The bullpen is, once again, a crowded place, and now includes a member who doesnt want to be there. "I see myself as a starter," said Happ. "I dont think thats any secret. I want to be a starter in the major leagues. Thats that." RASMUS PROGNOSIS GOOD Colby Rasmus wasnt in Tuesdays starting lineup, resting his left hamstring, which he tweaked in the fifth inning of Sundays win in Baltimore. "Im hoping to be in there (Wednesday,)" said Rasmus. "Come in (Wednesday) and see how it is. Got some good treatment in today and just going to go from there." The timing is unfortunate considering Rasmus recent offensive production. He hit home runs in both Saturdays and Sundays games and went 4-12 with three runs scored in the series with the Orioles. "I definitely feel much better today," said Rasmus. "I feel good about it. I dont feel like its something thats going to carry over. Just one day to get it right and hopefully (Wednesday) it will be good." REYES AND JANSSEN PLAY FOR DUNEDIN Jose Reyes and Casey Janssen made their first appearances for Single-A Dunedin on Tuesday night, the next step in their respective rehabilitation assignments. Reyes, coming back from a strained left hamstring, went hitless in four plate appearances but drew a walk, scored a run and drove in a run. He will play for Dunedin, again, on Wednesday and is expected to return to the Blue Jays on Friday, in time for a three-game weekend series in Cleveland. Janssen pitched the first inning, allowing a hit and striking out one batter. Theres no timetable set for Janssens return from an abdominal strain. Hell have at least one more appearance for Dunedin; then, maybe another. The Blue Jays are waiting to see how the injured area responds before determining how to proceed. WEATHER PROBLEMS Minnesotans are bracing for a rain-snow mix on Wednesday, which could threaten the second game of the series. Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey is scheduled to pitch for the Blue Jays. The Twins are to send right-hander Mike Pelfrey to the mound. Thursdays getaway day game is scheduled for 1:10 eastern time. This is the Jays only scheduled visit to Minnesota this season so if Wednesdays game is postponed it stands to reason the teams would play a doubleheader on Thursday. . "I have had no discussions with Chad Johnson or his representation," Popp said Friday in an email. However, he appeared to confirm a report on Twitter from TSN this week that Johnson was on Montreals negotiation list. . After the loss, White refused to make good on the bet, instead offering Hoyt tickets to a Bears game.
http://www.cheaphurricanesjerseysauthen ... ing-jersey. Particularly when speaking in the stadium of Tuesdays opponent: Manchester City. "Maybe they dont fear us as before," Pique said on Monday, "because in the last two years we didnt win the Champions League. . -- Zach Johnson asked his short-iron approach on the par-4 18th to "Do something right, baby. . LOUIS -- When Braves second baseman Tyler Pastornicky backpedaled into shallow right field to catch the popup and Jason Heyward didnt arrive fast enough to take charge, Kolten Wong got the green light.KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Royals exercised their $13.5 million option on right-hander James Shields on Thursday after he anchored one of the leagues best starting rotations last season. Shields, acquired last off-season in a trade from Tampa Bay, went 13-9 with a 3.15 ERA and an AL-leading 228 2-3 innings. Shields was especially strong after the All-Star break, going 9-3 with a 3.06 ERA to help the Royals get into playoff contention. Kansas City went 43-27 after the break to finish 86-76, its best record since 1989. "The second half, we pretty much figured it out -- figured out how to win and what it takes on a daily basis," Shields said. "I think going into next spring training, we all have that good frame of mind, that good attitude, and hopefully well have a good season next year." The decision Thursday to exercise Shields option was mostly a formality. The Royals sent top prospect Wil Myers and a package of other minor leagues to the Rays to acquire him, and they werent about to let him go after just one season in their rotation. Especially the way he pitched this season, giving the Royals the kind of bona fide ace that they havent had since Zack Greinke was plying his trade a few years ago. "I feel good about it. I feel like I pitched well for them last year," Shields said. "Im just excited to be back and be a Royal and have a good season next year." Shields, who earlier Thursday won the Joe Burke Special Achievement Awarded presented by the Kansas City chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America, said he hasnt discussed a new contract with Royals general manager Dayton Moore. He did say he was open to remaining in Kansas City beyond next season.dddddddddddd "When that times comes, Ill definitely be focused on it," Shields said. "The one thing I do know is I love the city. The organization is great. Ive been here for one year and weve made tremendous strides. Their willingness to want to win is what intrigues me." In the meantime, Shields just might become the Royals best recruiter. Ervin Santana and Bruce Chen, who both pitched well this past season, became free agents on Thursday, and Shields said that he will stay in touch with them through text messages. Santana in particular figures to be among the most coveted starters on the free-agent market after going 9-10 with a career-best 3.24 ERA. He threw 211 innings this season. "You have to understand the business of the game," Shields said, "but we would love to have them back. Bruce brings veteran leadership, Magic brings veteran leadership, and both of those guys had phenomenal years. Magic was lights-out. We counted on him every five days." The Royals are also in need of help in right field and at second base, so they might be reluctant to give Santana the kind of money that hell demand on the open market. They also have several promising arms in the minor leagues, including flamethrower Yordano Ventura and youngster Kyle Zimmer, who expect to compete for a rotation spot in spring training. "Its been amazing, just the transformation, how this organization has been working the last four or five years," Shields said. "Just to see all the guys that went through the system and how they did this year, and the year we had, was truly amazing." ' ' '
