For his role in almost blowing Saturday's eventual 11-9 win by the Blue Jays over Cleveland at the Dome Saturday afternoon, right-handed reliever Jesse Chavez has been sent back to AAA Las Vegas according to Gregor Chisholm of BlueJays.com. Chad Beck has been beamed up from the 51s to take Chavez's place.



Jesse Chavez posted an 0-1 record with an 8.85 earned run average over 8 appearances, including a pair of starts, with Toronto this season.

The Blue Jays announced that they have signed 1B-DH Edwin Encarnacion to a three year, $27M deal, with an option for a fourth year at $10M.

The 2012 All-Star Game Rosters have been announced. Perhaps a little surprisingly, only one Jay made the cut this year (I'll let you guess who). Brandon Morrow might have had a case if he hadn't been injured, and if the game was a month later so too might Colby Rasmus and Brett Lawrie. But it's not. Edwin Encarnacion is probably the only Jay with a legitimate gripe - his performance has basically been equal to that of the three reserve 1B chosen (Konerko, Cabrera - I'm assuming technically a 3B - and Trumbo), the reserve DH (Butler) and far superior to starter Prince Fielder; nevertheless he was the odd man out. Blame Canada I guess. The full line-ups, and a couple of quick thoughts after the break.

That title might be the thoughts in Alex Anthopoulos' mind today as he reviews the rotation.  I am not sure if everyone caught the subtext to the news of Drew Hutchison's visit to the doctor.  He is deciding whether to have Tommy John surgery now or try and rehab in the short term knowing he will probably have to have it later.  Kyle Drabek has had his TJ and is in recovery.  Meanwhile Jesse Litsch has had another operation and is out for the season.  Sergio Santos and Dustin McGowan are still not pitching.

Based on all these news items the Blue Jays have starting pitching problems for the rest of the year, but also for 2013.

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Kyle Drabek has a strained UCL and has hit the DL.  There has been no news on how long Drabek might be out of action.   Brett Cecil will start on Sunday in Morrow's spot.  Cecil last pitched on Tuesday so he was in line for this start unless Alvarez was moved up.  The Jays might have an announcement regarding next Tuesday's starter later although, because that involves a second roster move, the announcement might not be made until Sunday.

The Seattle Mariners, led by Kevin Millwood, blanked the Los Angeles Dodgers 1-0 and shut them out in the hit column at Safeco Field Friday night.




Kevin Millwood (6IP, 1BB, 6K), Charlie Furbush (0.2IP, 1K), Stephen Pryor (0.1IP, 2BB, 1K, W), Lucas Luetge (0.1IP), Brandon League (0.2IP, 1K) and Tom Wilhelmsen (1IP, SV) teamed up for the first combined no-hitter in the majors since 2003.

The Jays record a nice win tonight, although the defense was not stellar. Big night for Colby Rasmus with a 5-5 night, combined with a bad error. Brett Lawrie hit leadoff and had three hits.

Seaver threw one, but as a Red, not as a Met. Gooden threw one, for New York even, but as  a Yankee -- not as a Met. Koosman, Matlack, Gentry, Cone, Viola, Nolan Ryan -- many more great pitchers throughout Met history, and not one had ever thrown a no-hitter for the Flushing nine.

Until today.

Santana pitches first no-hitter in Mets' history

Your thoughts, Bauxites? 

The Toronto Blue Jays and the New Hampshire Cats will continue its affiliation into the 2013 and 2014 seasons, after signing off on a two-year extension of its Player Development Contract.  That means if Ottawa manages to land an Eastern League franchise next year, it will have to look south of the border for a major league affiliate.

New Hampshire's logos through the years during its affiliation with the Blue Jays.