Interesting dilemma general manager J.P. Ricciardi now finds himself in what with the Blue Jays placing starting pitcher Dustin McGowan on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right shoulder.
The move leaves the Jays' starting rotation in disarray with McGowan joining Shaun Marcum on the DL with Marcum not expected to be ready to rejoin the team before Toronto travels to Baltimore to play the Orioles, beginning on July 21st.
McGowan isn't likely to pitch for at least two weeks but a hiatus of 30 days or more would not surprise anybody.
As a stop-gap measure, the Jays have given McGowan's next scheduled start on Sunday against the New York Yankees to Brian Tallet, the Jays' middle reliever.
The last time Tallet walked in the footsteps of a starter came on Aug. 7, 2006, against the Orioles when he lasted 2.1 innings and did not allow an earned run despite walking four batters.
Ricciardi spoke with reporters earlier today and began the meeting thusly:
“For the record, we haven't given up on the season. I don't remember saying that yesterday. So we're going to still try to be good in '08 and we're still trying to be good in '09 and '10. So that's for the record.”
Having got that off his chest we shall now see if Ricciardi tries to make a trade before the deadline at the end of the month that might somehow bolster the starting pitching and keep the Jays' slender playoff hopes somehow flickering.
If not, the Jays may have no choice but to kiss-off the remainder of the season. And you can put that on the record.
The Lineups
Orioles
1.[amp]nbsp;Brian Roberts, 2B
2.[amp]nbsp;Nick Markakis, RF
3.[amp]nbsp;Aubrey Huff, DH
4.[amp]nbsp;Kevin Millar, 1B
5.[amp]nbsp;Luke Scott, LF
6.[amp]nbsp;Melvin Mora, 3B
7.[amp]nbsp;Ramon Hernandez, C
8.[amp]nbsp;Adam Jones, CF
9.[amp]nbsp;Brandon Fahey, SS
Pitcher: Garrett Olson
Blue Jays
1.[amp]nbsp;David Eckstein, DH
2.[amp]nbsp;Marco Scutaro, 2B
3.[amp]nbsp;Alex Rios, RF
4.[amp]nbsp;Vernon Wells, CF
5.[amp]nbsp;Rod Barajas, 1B
6.[amp]nbsp;Scott Rolen, 3B
7.[amp]nbsp;Gregg Zaun, C
8.[amp]nbsp;Adam Lind, LF
9.[amp]nbsp;John McDonald, SS
Pitcher: A.J. Burnett
