Dein erstes Forum » ard the concourses of the double-

DUNEDIN, Florida – General manager Alex Anthopulos was expected to return on Tuesday from a business trip to the Dominican Republic. While he was away, it was the division-rival Baltimore Orioles conducting a little business of their own, scooping up Ubaldo Jimenez on Monday evening to a reported four-year, $50-million contract. Jimenezs signing leaves only one remaining marquee starting pitcher on the market. That would be Ervin Santana, with whom the Jays have been linked for what feels like an eternity. Santana is coming off a strong year for the Royals, in which he authored a 3.24 ERA and a 1.142 WHIP over 211 innings. Hes exceeded the 200-inning plateau in four of the last six seasons, which reflects positively on his durability but would give a club pause when considering how much, and how long, to invest in a 31-year-old. "Some things could still change but were going forward with what we have unless something happens," said manager John Gibbons. "We like this group. Thats not my department. You know, Alex is working hard. Hes been doing it all winter, half of last season, looking at some different options." Its anyones guess who will fill out the back end of the Jays rotation. Esmil Rogers (4-7, 4.89, 1.434 WHIP in 106 2/3 innings as a starter last season) and Todd Redmond (4-2, 4.41, 1.240 WHIP in 69 1/3 innings as a starter last season) appear to have the inside track, if only because both are out of options. Whoever doesnt win the starting job, if he isnt sent to the bullpen, could be lost on waivers if an attempt is made to send him to the minors. There appears to be a preference for starting Drew Hutchison and Kyle Drabek, both of whom had Tommy John elbow surgery during the 2012 season but who have returned to full health, at Triple-A Buffalo. Marcus Stroman, a top prospect, doesnt expect to crack the opening day roster but hopes to prove in spring training he can compete with big league talent. Lefthander Sean Nolin, shelled in his one-off debut against the Orioles last May, could be a factor. Chad Jenkins, who is effective more often than not when called upon, should be afforded consideration. Ricky Romero would have to show significant signs of improvement this spring to have a chance at cracking the roster. Hutchison and Drabek come from similar backgrounds in that theyve both had regular turns in the rotation, only to go down with injury. Now theyre trying to work their way back to Toronto – this time for good – knowing the odds, at least initially, are stacked against them. Drabek pays his predicament no mind. "You just kind of have to go into it thinking its your job," said Drabek. "Ive won a job before and, you know, thats kind of how I prepare for it. Thats how my Dad wanted me to. Just go in there, do every thing you can right and really not think about it." "You obviously have to earn it," said Hutchison. "You got there once so you obviously know youre capable of it and you believe in yourself and you know what you can do. Its really about just coming out here and competing and getting the job done." If Santana eludes them or the term and money prove to be too much of a gamble for Anthopoulos, the Jays will need one of their young pitchers to emerge a pleasant surprise. Its not the situation a team built to win now wants but after a quiet offseason, its the scenario which seems most favourable at the moment. Cheap NFL Store . Mika Zibanejad and Jason Spezza scored in the shootout to lead the Ottawa Senators to a 2-1 victory over Nashville on Saturday night. Cheap NFL Jerseys Online . -- Jonathan Diaz is easy to spot in the Blue Jays clubhouse. http://www.cheapnfljerseysfastshipping.net/.com) - The Toronto Maple Leafs will try to play spoiler as the Los Angeles Kings will try to match their longest winning streak in over four years in Thursdays battle at Staples Center. Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic . Wearing bib No. 1, Maze skied through the gates cleanly to defend her big first-run lead and finish 0.07 seconds ahead of Anna Fenninger of Austria. Defending champion Viktoria Rebensburg of Germany was third, trailing 0. Wholesale Jerseys China . -- The Atlanta Braves are facing the possibility of losing another pitcher for the season after general manager Frank Wren said Saturday that Cory Gearrin has a serious injury to his right elbow.COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Lightning struck outside a soccer stadium before an MLS game, sending an off-duty firefighter who went into cardiac arrest to the hospital and forcing the postponement of the Columbus Crews game against FC Dallas. The lightning strike was in the parking lot of Crew Stadium on Saturday night, but its not known if the off-duty lieutenant was struck directly, Columbus Fire Department Battalion Chief Tracy Smith said. The firefighter, identified as Lt. Stu Tudor, had to be resuscitated, and was listed Sunday morning in critical condition in the intensive care unit at the Ohio State Medical Center, Smith said. She said it takes between two and three days to determine the total effects of a possible lightning strike. The storm with heavy rain and lightning bursts rolled through about 15 minutes before the scheduled 8 p.m. kickoff. Fans were told to evacuate the stands and head toward the concourses of the double-decked stadium. Emergency officials got calls reporting the lightnning strike at about 8 p.dddddddddddd.m. Crew fan Don Lewis told The Columbus Dispatch that he was taking cover during heavy rain in a portable toilet when he said he felt electricity run through the air and then heard someone in the toilet next to him call 911 to report that someone had been hit by lightning. "All of a sudden it was just a bomb that went off," Lewis told the newspaper. "I knew it was close. The electricity ran through me." He said he saw a man lying on the ground when he got out of the toilet. "He was purple and had his shirt ripped off," Lewis said. Crew owner Anthony Precourt said on Twitter that team was sorry about the postponement, but that fans safety "is of the utmost importance." Precourt also said he was praying for the injured firefighter. The game was rescheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday. The National Weather Service forecast more showers and thunderstorms Sunday, but said they are likely to occur after 5 p.m. ' ' '