TORONTO -- Brett Lawries latest injury has the Toronto Blue Jays confused because theyre not sure quite how it happened. Lawrie felt something wrong in his left oblique muscle during batting practice earlier this week and now hes out a month. Even confounded by the cause of Lawries injury amid a season full of them, general manager Alex Anthopoulos doesnt blame the artificial turf at Rogers Centre. "I dont know that the injuries weve had have been linked to this," Anthopoulos said during a wide-ranging meeting with reporters Thursday afternoon. "Is there a wear and tear component to it? Sure. Im not denying that. "I just think its too easy to say everything relates back to the turf." Anthopoulos pointed to Lawries 2013 oblique injury happening at spring training in Florida and then at the World Baseball Classic in Arizona, all while running on grass. A couple of the third basemans other injuries, a broken finger from getting hit by a pitch and sprained ankle from sliding into a base, couldve happened anywhere. First baseman Adam Lind is out with a fractured right foot now but landed on the disabled list earlier this season with back problems, and Jose Reyes and Colby Rasmus each missed time with hamstring injuries. Reyes aggravated his hamstring ailment on the turf at Montreals Olympic Stadium, which Anthopoulos said used to be like "cement" when the Expos were there. Rogers Centre uses AstroTurf GameDay Grass, which gets rolled up for other events. Anthopoulos conceded that the turf can flatten out the more that its rolled but doesnt consider it the reason some players have gotten injured. "Guys that have Tommy John (elbow surgery), I dont think theres an impact," he said. "Adam Lind broke his foot. "It wasnt like a sledgehammer came up out of the turf and slammed him down on the foot." Edwin Encarnacion strained his right quadriceps muscle while running the bases in Oakland, and his rehab setback came when swinging in Dunedin, Fla. When a reporter relayed a story to Anthopoulos that opposing players have run to first and said to Lind, "I dont know how you play on this every day," the GM said he has heard the same thing before. But he also doesnt want to make the turf an excuse because the Blue Jays are locked into playing on it through at least 2017, when the stadium lease for the CFLs Toronto Argonauts expires. Anthopoulos said president Paul Beeston and members of the organization were exploring the possibility of changing the surface to grass. Five retractable-roof parks -- the Arizona Diamondbacks Chase Field, Houston Astros Minute Maid Park, Seattle Mariners Safeco Field, Milwaukee Brewers Miller Park and Miamis Marlins Park -- have natural grass, so the technology is available. "Would players certainly prefer to play on grass? Absolutely. Would I love to see grass? Absolutely," Anthopoulos said. "I know no matter what, the turf is there. "Its not going anywhere, at least for the next few years. So theres no point spending time on something that isnt going to change." Anthopoulos said it was a "total cop out" to blame the turf for any of the Blue Jays losing, pointing to the Tampa Bay Rays recent success. Rogers Centre and Tampa Bays Tropicana Field are the only two Major League Baseball stadiums left with artificial turf. Asked if the turf was a problem in signing free agents, Anthopoulos pointed to the two World Series won in the building formerly known as SkyDome in 1992 and 1993. But back then, the Blue Jays were among 10-of-26 major league teams playing on turf and one-of-five in domed stadiums. Anthopoulos wasnt sure if turf being more prevalent back then affected then-GM Pat Gillicks discussions with free agents, but he implied its not the driving force behind players signing or not signing with the Blue Jays during his regime. "Even in the past, when weve been able to bid high, whether its years or dollars, weve been able to get players," Anthopoulos said. "Do I think when things are very close, can it have an impact? Sure. But I dont think turf has anything to do with you win or lose games." Buffalo Sabres Jersey . "Ive got a lot of work to do on this team and the sooner that I can get back to my office and start that work, itll be better," he said straight-faced as the rest of the room erupted in laughter. http://www.sabreshockeyshop.us/Brian-Gionta-Jersey/ . - Maybe putting all the focus on defence during practice after allowing 100 points for three straight games was just what Detroit needed to get its offence going. http://www.sabreshockeyshop.us/Alexander-Mogilny-Jersey/ . The veteran wide receiver, who has played 12 seasons in the CFL, spent last year with the Als after stints with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and B. http://www.sabreshockeyshop.us/Jack-Eichel-Jersey/ . Popovich said earlier Tuesday that Parker would be out of action "for the foreseeable future" because of numerous aches and pains involving his back, groin and calf. The 13-year veteran, who played 11 minutes Sunday in the NBA All-Star game, is the Spurs leading scorer. http://www.sabreshockeyshop.us/Gilbert-Perreault-Jersey/ . Mike Babcock has turned to the Montreal Canadiens goalie over Roberto Luongo, who backed Canada to a gold medal in Vancouver in 2010, for Canadas final preliminary round game against the ailing Finns.TSN football analyst Chris Schultz is back with his Week 8 selections in the CFL. The Big Man finished 3-1 in Week 7, and sits at 14-14 on the season in Schultz vs. The World. Now Schultz is ready for more action, including an upset prediction in the Hamilton-Calgary game. Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Toronto Argonauts Huge preparation advantage with Toronto. Coming off the bye week, their last game was on August 1, a 31-5 win in Montreal. They had 11 days to get ready for this one. For Winnipeg, its the exact opposite. They played this past Thursday and now play again on Tuesday. Basically they have four days to get ready for the "oddball" Tuesday night game. Drew Willy threw three interceptions and fumbled once for points against Saskatchewan. He will accept, learn and rebound. But coming off such a short week, will all the other players on offence and defence do the same? If Toronto is ever going to take advantage of circumstances, this is the game. Argos over the Bombers in Toronto. Edmonton Eskimos at Ottawa Redblacks The Eskimos are staying in the East to get ready and it should mean very little as they are just a more individually talented team. It is the top defence against the ninth-best offence and even though back home the Redblacks should play a better game, a 27-11 duplication of the first meeting on July 11 is a genuine possibility. One team is processing, learning, evaluating and figuring out what they have and how to use it. The other is in position to have a great year and everything that goes with it. Edmonton over Ottawa. Calgary at Hamilton In Week 2 Hamilton lost to Edmonton by four points in a game they could have won. In Week 4 Hamilton lost in Calgary by three in a game they could have won. In Week 6 Hamilton lost to Winnipeg by one in a game they could have won. And, last week Hamilton lost in BC in again a game they could have won. When does it end, this run of "could have won"? This could be a little bit of a trap game for the Stampeders. They beat Ottawa last week and are now going east for two games, at Hamilton then in Ottawa again, before a truly critical home-and-away against Edmonton. Dan LeFevour was a short yardage quarterback, then a running quarterback, but against BC he had moments where he looked like a complete quarterback. Am I calling trap game for Calgary with Hamilton getting win number two? Yes I am. Hamilton over Calgary by three. Montreal at Saskatchewan Back home again and it may makee a difference for the Riders in a positive way.dddddddddddd On the road again and it may make a difference for the Alouettes in a negative way. Which running back George Cortez starts will be interesting to see. If they go with Jerome Messam it allows for ratio manipulation somewhere else and where exactly will also be interesting to see. Troy Smith was a 44 per cent completion quarterback at home against a good Eskimo defence. He will probably have another 44 completion performance against another good defence in Saskatchewan on the road. That is not enough. In watching video, Montreal will play better run-defence than the 191 they allowed against Edmonton. But you know Saskatchewan will test the defensive front seven of Montreal anyway. Ill take the Riders over the Alouettes. Following the Toronto Argonauts victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the pick for the Argos second Week 8 game, against the BC Lions, has been added. BC Lions at Toronto Argonauts The Winnipeg Blue Bombers faced it in their last game and it will happen to the Toronto Argonauts this week, which is being forced to prepare for an important game on a very short week. Wednesday will be used to recover, review and install. The players will take time to get back in the weight room or run a bit to recover from the previous game. They will then meet with coaches to review the game in an effort to learn and continue the never ending desire to improve. Following that, they will have another meeting to install the game plan they will use against the BC Lions, which may be remarkably different depending on the assessment of the Blue Bombers game. Thursday is much more mental than physical as youre still in recovery mode from Tuesday. Friday is the only day of good practice because by then you should have bounced back physically and overall be feeling better. Saturday is the day before and the anticipation of Game #8 is pretty much all youre thinking about. Then Sunday comes and it seems like the week is an entire blur. For the Lions, things are the complete opposite. They played on Friday the previous week and this contest kicks off Sunday this week, plus they have a new "Bomber Video" to study while the Argos only have the old "Ticats video" of the Lions most recent opponent. If the Argos can get control of the penalties, they can run away with the East. The Lions are rested, while the Argos are game tested. Lions over Argos by three. Cheap China Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China China NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys China ' ' '
Statistics: Posted by fu0222 — Sat Jul 02, 2016 12:56 am