The Blue Jays have designated 27-year old lefty starter Gustavo Chacin for assignment to make room on the roster for Kevin Mench. Chacin was having big time trouble overcoming surgery in the minors as he has never seemed quite right. Chacin started 6 games in AAA ball this season and he was 0-4 with a 7.00 ERA and a 1.96 WHIP. He also allowed 46 hits in only 27 innings in the minors this year. He likely ends his career with the Blue Jays having started 58 games in which he was 25-15 with a 4.18 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. It was a shame that Chacin couldn’t quite make it all the way back as he once appeared to have a very bright future with the Blue Jays.

The Blue Jays have acquired 30-year old righty swinging outfielder Kevin Mench from the Rangers for a wad of cold, hard cash. Mench played in his first game with the Blue Jays last night and he was 0 for 2. Mench played in 29 AAA games this season for the Rangers and he was 31 for 110 (.282 avg, .818 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 3 homers and 18 RBIs. Mench has now played in 651 games in his major league career and he is 601 for 2,220 (.271 avg, .791 OPS) with 291 runs scored, 89 homers and 320 RBIs. This was a nice move for the Blue Jays.

The Blue Jays have signed veteran lefty swinging outfielder Brad Wilkerson to a contract for the remainder of the season after he was released by the Mariners. Wilkerson played in first game with the Blue Jays last night and he was 1 for 3. Wilkerson played in 19 games with the Mariners this season and he was 13 for 56 (.232 avg, .652 OPS) with 1 run scored and 5 RBIs. Wilkerson will probably platoon in RF with Kevin Mench until Vernon Wells is ready to return to action. Wilkerson has know played in 888 games in his major league career and he is 744 for 2,982 (.249 avg, .802 OPS) with 480 runs scored, 118 homers, 376 RBIs and 51 stolen bases. This was a nice low risk/high reward signing for the Blue Jays.

The Blue Jays have placed reliever Jeremy Accardo on the 15-day disabled list with a right forearm strain. Accardo has pitched in 16 games for the Blue Jays this season and he is 0-3 with 4 saves, a 6.57 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. Accardo has been replaced on the roster and in the bullpen by 35-year old righty Armando Benitez. Benitez has pitched in 8 games (0 starts) in A+AAA ball this season and he was 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. Benitez has had a very successful major league career to date so he should help out the Jays. Benitez has pitched in 754 games in his major league career and he is 40-46 with 289 saves, a 3.11 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. He has only allowed 541 hits while whiffing 937 batters in only 772.2 innings which shows how nasty his stuff has been.

Starting center fielder Vernon Wells broke his left wrist last night diving for a ball against the Indians and it will cause him to miss the next 6-8 weeks. Wells has played in 36 games so far this season for the Blue Jays and he is 39 for 139 (.281 avg, .787 OPS) with 21 runs scored, 5 homers and 24 RBIs. Alex Rios will probably shift to CF to replace Wells in the starting lineup. The Jays will likely use newly acquired Brad Wilkerson and Kevin Mench in a platoon in RF. The Jays have recalled IF/OF Joe Inglett to replace Wells on the roster. Inglett has played in 13 games this season for the Blue Jays and he is 10 for 33 (.303 avg, .745 OPS) with 2 runs scored, 4 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.