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SWEET SWINGIN'
Lind homered for the fifth time in the last eight games to give Morrow a 2-0 cushion in the first inning. That also extended his hitting streak to nine games. Can't come at a better time for the Jays with Bautista sidelined. "It's just great to see him pick up some of the slack. We've got a legitimate threat swinging the bat like he's capable," said Farrell.
WHAT A PAIN
Toronto's injury-riddled season continues with Ricky Romero being scratched from Thursday's start with a mild left oblique strain.
"When he caught the line drive in New York he felt a twinge," said Farrell. "He threw (Wednesday) on the mound. He was able to throw ... but we think we need to bump him back a couple days. We don't want to take chances. It's as much cautionary as anything."
Kyle Drabek moves into Romero's spot with Jesse Litsch pitching Friday. Romero is now expected to pitch Saturday ... Morrow called this his best effort of the season and in 10 games against Tampa has held them to a .145 batting average. "I'm comfortable against them and they just seem to be getting more uncomfortable with me," he said.
RECOVERY ROOM
Aaron Hill and Jose Bautista could be back in the lineup for the weekend series against the Tigers.
Bautista is being treated for neck spasms and Hill (hamstring) is rehabbing in Dunedin through Saturday. "He's making progress," said Farrell of Bautista.
Nine players have been on the disabled list accounting for 143 games missed - and that doesn't include players such as Encarnacion or Bautista, who have been sidelined but never officially on the disabled list. "We haven't gone with a set lineup. We haven't been afforded the ability to just run nine guys out there every day," said Farrell, who has been able to field his opening day lineup just once.
The negatives of this are obvious but it does have an upside said Farrell. First, it's given him a chance to find out how players will respond in game situations. That might help later down the road.
Secondly, "We have to find a silver lining in this. Nobody cares that we're having injuries. We have to overcome this internally. With the challenges we've faced I think there's been a quicker cohesiveness and bonding within the group. We have to turn to other people. there can be a bit of a positive growth."
