Lind rediscovers power stroke

After a scorching start to the season, in which he hit three home runs and added 11 RBI in his first five games, the power stroke for Blue Jays designated hitter Adam Lind ceased, though he maintained a consistently strong batting average.

Before Thursday's contest against the Royals, the 25 year old Lind had gone 17 outings without a long ball, and had just six extra base hits in that span. He now has had round trippers in back to back contests.

Being a full time DH at such a young age, the affable Lind has had to adjust to a new routine coming to the ball park, knowing he will not be slotted in left field, a position he manned for 71 games in 2008, but just once this campaign.

Through 24 games, Lind has 5 home runs, 22 RBI (tied for 5th in the American League), 8 doubles and a solid .320 batting average.

Jays promote prospect Brett Cecil; two others

With question marks arising regarding their pitching staff, the Toronto Blue Jays have dipped into the farm to call up two prospects that will be installed into the rotation, and a familiar face will be inserted into the bullpen.

Brett Cecil gets the call up and it's expected he'll make his major league debut Tuesday against the Cleveland Indians. As noted by Toronto Blue Jays Way a couple weeks ago, Cecil hasn't exactly lit the world on fire in AAA Las Vegas, though he showed tepid improvement in his final tuneup. In 4 starts, the 2007 1st round draft selection went 0-3 with a poor 8.31 ERA. His last outing, however, was his best, as Cecil went 6 innings, allowing just 3 runs to go along with 5 strikeouts.

Also heading north is 25 year old Texan Robert Ray. He was a 7th round pick in 2005, and initially impressed in class-A ball. Injuries hampered the big righty the following two years, so it's been hard to gauge whether Ray could be a quality major league pitcher. In his one start in AAA this year, Ray did not allow a run in 4.1 innings.

Packing his bags for Canada is righty Brian Wolfe. He's back after bouncing between the Jays and AAA for the past couple of seasons. In his two previous stints with the Blue Birds, Wolfe was effective, posting a 2.81 ERA and a record of 3-3.

Jays demote Purcey, 2 other pitchers

Following their first series loss against Kansas City, the Toronto Blue Jays have made three roster moves, all involving their depleted pitching staff.

The most notable demotion is that of David Purcey. In 5 starts, the lefty struggled with his command, losing twice and posting a very poor 7.01 ERA. He struck out 26 batters in 25.2 innings, but was a walking machine, issuing 18 free passes. Purcey will be sent down in hopes that he works out the kinks he had in April. The tall southpaw must show considerable improvement in AAA Las Vegas or he risks getting passed in the organizational depth chart by several young pitchers.

Toronto also announced the demotion of starter Brian Burres (0-2 with a bloated 14.21 ERA) and reliever Bryan Bullington (7 hits, 6 walks, 2 earned runs in 6 innings)

Jays lose first series of season to KC

It was bound to happen some time. The Jays lost 8-6 to the Kansas City Royals in a matinee affair to lose their first series of the season. All three losses revealed that the patchwork rotation might be coming apart at the seams.

On Thursday, lefty Brian Burres stunk up the joint, allowing 6 runs, 4 of which were earned, in 2 plus innings. Reliever Bryan Bullington didn't fare much better, surrendering a pair of runs in his 3 innings of work.

The Jays had their chances to earn a split in the 4 game set at Kauffman Stadium. With a little more luck, they could have won the final game despite Burres and Bullington's struggles. Toronto bounced into a club record (for a 9 inning ball game) 6 double play balls! The astounding mark tied the Blue Birds for an American League record.

With the month of April being one of great statistics and series win streaks and a very respectable record of 15-9, funny it should end on the Jays first two game losing streak, and a franchise history record for futility.

Jays Prospect Watch: pitcher Fabio Castro

The Blue Jays could potentially have pulled off a heist in the deal that sent Matt Stairs to the Philadelphia Phillies last August. In that swap, Toronto acquired left handed pitcher Fabio Castro, and the results thus far have been very encouraging.

The clubs brass has decided to try the 24 year old prospect out as a starter with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in Class-AA. In four starts, the former Phillie is 2-0, with an amazing ERA of just 0.83! The southpaw has allowed just 2 runs in 21.2 innings, while striking out 24 against 3 walks. Castro was named the Eastern League pitcher of the week on Sunday.

Despite his young age, Castro has some major league experience. In 2006, he appeared in 20 games between Texas and Philadelphia, and the following year, took part in 10 games, starting one with the Phillies.

At the time of the Jays acquired Castro, he was considered a mid-tier prospect. With his early success in 2009, Castro has served notice that he's a player worth keeping an eye on.

Tallet tagged for 10 runs in Royals rout

After putting together a pair of solid starts as a member of the Jays starting rotation, it all came crashing down like a ton of bricks on Brian Tallet Wednesday night against Kansas City.

The Royals teed off on the lanky left hander , sending him to the showers early after four awful innings. Tallet was lit up for 10 earned runs by a previously anemic Kansas City attack. He did not look pretty, serving up three home runs, giving up 11 hits in all. With the pathetic performance, his season ERA spiked from 2.95 to 6.45. All this from a guy who turned heads after surrendering just 1 run in his first two starts since 2006.

Funny how one disgusting outing can change the perception of a player. Before Wednesday, he was the toast of the team, particularly because of his amazing mustache. After this evening, the naysayers will point to this outing by Tallet in saying the Jays starting rotation is too shaky to compete in the American League East.

He'll bounce back. After all, could it get much worse?

Jeremy Accardo update

Jeremy Accardo came over from the San Francisco Giants in the deal that shipped Shea Hillenbrand out of town in 2006. After filling in as the closer admirably for an injured B.J. Ryan in '07, where he saved 30 games, the deal hasn't looked as lopsided as it initially did.

After going down in May with forearm soreness, Accardo missed the remainder of the 2008 campaign . He didn't break it into the bullpen to start this season, instead being groomed as the closer in AAA Las Vegas.

Accardo has responded well to the demotion of sorts. In 8 innings, spanning 6 appearances, the former Giant has closed the door in 3 games, and has a respectable ERA of 2.25. Had the injury to Ryan occurred later in the season, Accardo might have received the call to Toronto. For now, the Jays are content to keep him with Las Vegas to see if he can find his form as a stopper on his road back from his own injury.

This season, the 27 year old Accardo has been passed over in promotions north of the border by the likes of Bill Murphy, Bryan Bullington and Brian Burres.