MVN - Most Valuable Network

Wells Out 6-8 Weeks

MLB.com reports that Blue Jays outfielder Vernon Wells has a broken left wrist and is now on the DL. Wells will be out six to eight weeks.

Absolutely awful news for Toronto. After releasing Frank Thomas, they’re getting virtually no offense, with some key players struggling. Wells hasn’t exactly hit the cover off the ball so far this season, but he’s been decent.

Now, Alex Rios will move into center with recent additions Brad Wilkerson and Kevin Mench platooning in right field. Honestly, I’m not sure if the Blue Jays, currently in last place in the AL East, will be able to survive the stretch that Wells is out for. Their pitching staff has done pretty well, but the lineup has been atrocious, and this will make matters even worse.

You really have to wonder if the Blue Jays will enter the Barry Bonds race. They need more power in that lineup, and Bonds could obviously provide that. I know that they don’t really want him on their team, but GM JP Ricciardi could possibly be fighting for his job, and they might become desperate. If the team continues to struggle hitting the ball, than Bonds could land in Toronto.

Adding on to the bad day for the Blue Jays is reliever Jeremy Accardo with a right forearm strain being placed on the DL as well. He has a 6.57 ERA so far this season, very uncharacteristic of him, so this time on the DL should help, as he hasn’t been himself. A lot of pressure will now be on BJ Ryan to perform, fully taking the closer role.

Armando Benitez was called up to take his spot, and we’ll get our first chance at seeing how the signing will work out.

This entry was posted on Saturday, May 10th, 2008 at 6:14 pm and is filed under Brad Wilkerson, Armando Benitez, Alex Rios, Barry Bonds, Kevin Mench. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.