Second baseman Hill latest player to see time on busy disabled list
The Blue Jays will have to wait another 10 days before they have their first fully healthy batting order in four months.
The injury-plagued club will place second baseman Aaron Hill (knee) on the 15-day disabled list today when the post all-star schedule resumes in Boston.
The club expected first baseman Lyle Overbay to return today in Boston from a hand injury he suffered June 3. Overbay had been the final position player to return from an injury bay that included Reed Johnson, Troy Glaus, Gregg Zaun, Roy Halladay, B.J. Ryan, Brandon League, Gustavo Chacin and A.J. Burnett. Ryan won't return until next season while Burnett remains on a shoulder strengthening program for another 2-3 weeks.
Hill did not dress for Sunday's series closer against Cleveland, and the club found out later that day that he was suffering from soreness and swelling in his right knee.
Hill was to be placed on the disabled list retroactive to July 8, which means he will not be eligible to return to the lineup until July 22.
The only good news in the club's prolonged injury nightmare is the fact Hill will not require surgery. He may need a scope procedure in the off-season, depending on the health of the joint over the remainder of the season.
Russ Adams, batting .265, with eight homers and 42 RBIs in 82 games with Triple-A Syracuse, was to arrive today to fill in for Hill.
Toronto held high hopes for a strong second half last week, based largely on the return of Reed Johnson and Overbay.
Toronto's offence averaged 6.5 runs per game up to the loss of Johnson, and dropped to five runs per game in his absence. Johnson returned to the lineup last Friday.
With that lineup intact, the sense in the clubhouse was "let's see what we can do." Toronto needs about 50 wins over their final 75 games to reach the 92-to-95 win plateau, generally considered the threshold for post-season play.
The Jays' future, though, appears to depend on the next eight days when they play four games in Boston, followed by four games in New York against the Yankees.
The club's performance over that span should provide a strong indication of whether or not they can mount a serious wild-card run. It should also clear up whether the club is a buyer or seller at the July 31 trade deadline.
The Blue Jays will have to wait another 10 days before they have their first fully healthy batting order in four months.
The injury-plagued club will place second baseman Aaron Hill (knee) on the 15-day disabled list today when the post all-star schedule resumes in Boston.
The club expected first baseman Lyle Overbay to return today in Boston from a hand injury he suffered June 3. Overbay had been the final position player to return from an injury bay that included Reed Johnson, Troy Glaus, Gregg Zaun, Roy Halladay, B.J. Ryan, Brandon League, Gustavo Chacin and A.J. Burnett. Ryan won't return until next season while Burnett remains on a shoulder strengthening program for another 2-3 weeks.
Hill did not dress for Sunday's series closer against Cleveland, and the club found out later that day that he was suffering from soreness and swelling in his right knee.
Hill was to be placed on the disabled list retroactive to July 8, which means he will not be eligible to return to the lineup until July 22.
The only good news in the club's prolonged injury nightmare is the fact Hill will not require surgery. He may need a scope procedure in the off-season, depending on the health of the joint over the remainder of the season.
Russ Adams, batting .265, with eight homers and 42 RBIs in 82 games with Triple-A Syracuse, was to arrive today to fill in for Hill.
Toronto held high hopes for a strong second half last week, based largely on the return of Reed Johnson and Overbay.
Toronto's offence averaged 6.5 runs per game up to the loss of Johnson, and dropped to five runs per game in his absence. Johnson returned to the lineup last Friday.
With that lineup intact, the sense in the clubhouse was "let's see what we can do." Toronto needs about 50 wins over their final 75 games to reach the 92-to-95 win plateau, generally considered the threshold for post-season play.
The Jays' future, though, appears to depend on the next eight days when they play four games in Boston, followed by four games in New York against the Yankees.
The club's performance over that span should provide a strong indication of whether or not they can mount a serious wild-card run. It should also clear up whether the club is a buyer or seller at the July 31 trade deadline.
