According to Wilner, Huckaby has lost the battle with Myers for the backup catcher spot and has been sent back to AAA.

Though the injury to Quiroz certainly didn't help Huck. There aren't many AAA ready catchers in the system.

Directions to the Hard Rock Cafe at SkyDome:

http://www.hardrock.com/locations/cafes/directions.aspx?lc=SKYD

let's talk about Beer Club!

And here I thought the first rule of Beer Club was you do not talk about Beer Club.

I imagine Quiroz' injury has played a large part in Myers making the team (with Huck going down to AAA). The first month will probably be a real showcase for Myers to prove that he is OK. If he struggles, he could be gone when Quiroz proves healthy.

It sounds more like Huckaby won the AAA job rather than lost the major league job. With Quiroz out, I don't think Myers is ready to handle everyday catching just yet in Syracuse.

When Quiroz is healed, assuming Myers is not performing, I wouldn't be surprised to see him and Huckaby change spots.

Though, I do like the idea of having another lefty on the bench.

darn you marc; get outta my head :)

Look who has an interview up on Sportsline.com... Franky Mench!

um...in case anyone is interested:

2-0 Philly (end of 3rd)

No scoring details but Number of Hits: Jays-3 Phillies-4

according to rotoworld:

"Braves acquired RHP Jorge Sosa from the Devil Rays for 2B Nick Green."

To no one's surprise, they are bashing this deal as a steal for the Braves, saying "The Devil Rays just had to have a backup infielder. This gives them one, but Green hit only .273/.312/.386 in 264 at-bats last season and he's yet to demonstrate he can be an asset at any position other than second base."

Are they trying to bury BJ Upton or what?

This is what is on the transaction wire so far today:

Cleveland
Indians Darren Bragg CF Released
Indians Juan Gonzalez RF Placed on 15-Day DL (Right hamstring strain)
Indians Grady Sizemore CF Called Up from Minors

Minnesota
Twins C.J. Nitkowski P Released

Seattle
Mariners George Sherrill P Sent to Minors

Tampa Bay
Devil Rays Nick Green 2B Traded From Atlanta (for RHP Jorge Sosa)

Atlanta
Braves Jorge Sosa P Traded From Tampa Bay (for 2B Nick Green)

Chicago
Cubs Dave Hansen 1B Released
Cubs Scott Williamson P Placed on 60-Day DL (Recovery from right elbow surgery)

Florida
Marlins Mike DiFelice C Signed to a Minor League Contract

Juan Gonzalez didn't even give me time to organize my "When will Juan Gone go on the DL pool."

Quiroz is injured again? I had not heard anything about this until now- I thought he was perfectly healthy this spring.

What exactly is wrong (or am I missing something and you are talking about last year's injury)?

Nolan, Quiroz hurt his shoulder yesterday in Minor League Camp - out 3-4 weeks.

"Look who has an interview up on Sportsline.com... Franky Mench!"

Great, another player who wants to be a Yankee.

Somewhere, Carlos Delgado is grinning.

"Welcome to the National League, Jorge! Remember me?"

Got this recap at the Jays site at scout.com:

Josh Towers vs. Mike Bascik

-The Jays get two hits in the Top of the 1st, but nothing else.

-Towers gets thru a scoreless first giving up 1 hit.

-Jays get nothing in the 2nd and neither do the Phils

-Jays grab another hit in the 3rd but still scoreless

-The Phillies get on the board first with 3 hits and 2 run in the bottom half of the 3rd

-Jays draw another blank in the 4th, as do the Phillies.

-Jays, still no offense, onto the bottom of 5th

Bot of 5th, 2-0 PHI

Yahoo reports:

4-1 Phillies, end of 6

Koskie HR
Offerman HR

Woah...5 runs so far in the 7th (V. Wells hits his first of ST).

6-4 Jays (still in top of 7th).

Hope this means that Vernon is getting hot right in time to start the season. If he can start off hot, I think the Jays will have a great spring.

7-6 phillies now. speier gave up an HR to jim thome. heading into the top of the 8th

...but it looks like Thome restore the lead with a HR of his own.

7-6 Phillies (end of 7th)

...Rois homers and it tied (mid 8th)

What's that 3 HRs for Rios now?

Phillies ahead 8-7 (end of 8th)

Another run for the Phillies makes it 8-7 bad guys after 8 complete.

a pitching gem this is not :)

TIED UP! (STill in the 9th)

Please tell me that the bullpen is going to be better this year. Please?

...and Jays take the lead!!

9-8 (bottom of 9th coming up).

This sounds like a job for...

THE CLOSER!

If this continues, we can call these guys the heart-attack kids. I mean the ones that win, compared to the heart attack kids on Bay street.

Victoriano homers off Burnside in the 9th...

Tied 9-9 now..

Burnside? Where is Batista?

...and its game over...

a freaking tie...


What an anti-clamatic way to end a ball game... :(

Why this close to opening day are they not using the closer?

Maybe they didn't bring him to this game.

Batista was out getting some cold ones.

Regarding the catcher situation, Huckaby and Myers will not be switching places. Myers has stated that he was either going to make the team or else retire.He will not being going down to AAA at all. So the Quiroz injury may have helped in the fact that they knew Myers was unwilling to go down to Syracuse, so if they did award Huckaby the backup job they wouldn't have anyone for AAA. But yeah at no point is Myers going to AAA this season in my opinion.

In spring training games, relievers are brought in on a schedule, usually independent of game situation.

If Burnside was out there it was because it was his day to pitch and continue to compete for status in the organization.

Batista is probably scheduled to go at least one more time before the season but they already have a fair idea of what he can do. They still have to try out the rest of the 5 or 6 extra pitchers that are around.

Are they trying to bury BJ Upton or what?

I thought the plan was for Upton to start the year in AAA focusing on improving his defense at SS. Probably not the worst thing in the world for the TB organization to prolong starting his service time clock anyway. He's only 20.

Has the Mighty Mouse Q&A been posted before? I think I remember reading this a while ago.

Yeah the mighty mouse article is old news!

I have to say the Hard Rock Cafe is an excellent choice - for me, anyway, since I have to be at BCE place to get my paycheque. So yeah, I'll be there. If you see a guy with a shaved head, answers to the name of 'Matt', it'll likely be me. If any of the BB Yahoo leaguers are there, I'm the owner of the Shoeless Schmoes

Anyone else notice that the Hard Rock's directions page refers to the 'RC' as SkyDome?

I actually noticed that the website referred to the RC as SkyDome.

Anyways, I'll be there. Look for the guy with the Koskie jersey (there can't be that many of us can there?) and a grey Jays cap.