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DUNEDIN, Fla -- Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston was absent from spring training Thursday after his wife, Lynda, was taken to a local hospital where she is being treated for appendicitis.
Gaston is anticipating he will be back at Friday's first full-team workout at the Bobby Mattick Training Centre.
Not yet, Brett
General manager Alex Anthopoulos is not anticipating that top prospect Brett Wallace, acquired from the Oakland Athletics this winter, will make the team out of training camp.
"I don't see it right now, especially with him being converted to first base full time," Anthopoulos said. "I would like to see him get more reps and play every day at the minor-league level. We're committed to Lyle Overbay as our first baseman and there's enough competition for the DH spot.
"We really want to make sure we get (Wallace's) glove ready at first base."
Nasty hook
As part of their annual Top 100 Prospects list, Baseball America has identified the minor-leaguers with the best individual tools. Blue Jays prospect Kyle Drabek was deemed by their panel of experts to have the best curve ball in the minors.
Ricciardi joins ESPN
Former Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi is moving to the broadcast booth this season.
Ricciardi, a 30-year baseball veteran, has joined ESPN'S Baseball Tonight as an analyst, the sports network announced Thursday.
"I look forward to sharing my perspective of the game, which has many layers and has been built over the years through my various roles," Ricciardi said in a statement.
Ricciardi spent eight seasons as GM of the Jays after being fired with two games remaining in the 2009 season.
Ricciardi will make his broadcast debut in March.
