The Blue Jays have released starting pitcher John Thomson. The Blue Jays want to go with their young pitchers as they continue to fade in the division and wildcard standings. Thomson started 9 games in A+AAA ball and he was 3-4 with a 4.47 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. He threw 50.1 innings in the minors and he allowed 56 hits, walked 16 batters and whiffed 41. Thomson will likely have no trouble finding a new job in the majors soon as the Phillies might have some interest in him.

The Blue Jays have placed A.J. Burnett on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right shoulder. Burnett has started 14 games this season and he’s 5-6 with a 4.00 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. In 90 innings this season, Burnett has allowed 73 hits, 13 homers, walked 40 batters and has whiffed 100. The Blue Jays will miss Burnett who is just the latest Blue Jay to go down to injury. The Blue Jays have recalled Ty Taubenheim to replace Burnett in the rotation. Taubenheim has not pitched too well in AAA ball so far this season. He has pitched in 13 games (11 starts) and he’s 3-5 with a 5.63 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. He has thrown 64 innings this season and he has allowed 69 hits, walked 20 batters and whiffed 54.

Vernon Wells and Frank Thomas are both having very sub par seasons and it’s hurting the offense and the team as a whole. Vernon Wells has played in 66 games so far this season and he’s 65 for 256 (.254 avg, .712 OPS) with 37 runs scored, 6 homers and 34 RBIs. Wells is much better than that and the Blue Jays need him to play up to his ability. Frank Thomas is starting to look his age at the plate. In 67 games, Thomas is 48 for 212 (.226 avg, .762 OPS) with 26 runs scored, 9 homers and 25 RBIs. Thomas needs to hit like he did last season in Oakland or the Blue Jays are going to continue to have problems scoring runs.

The Toronto Blue Jays have released Tomo Ohka. They designated him for assignment a while ago and couldn’t find a trading partner so they just let him go so he could become a free agent. He started 10 games for the Blue Jays this season and he was 2-5 with a 5.79 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP. He threw 56 innings for the Blue Jays and he allowed 68 hits, 10 homers, walked 22 batters and whiffed 21. Look for a National League team that needs a starting pitcher to pick him up.

Troy Glaus has been really scorching the baseball lately. In his last 7 games, Glaus is 11 for 26 (.423 avg, 1.231 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 2 homers and 4 RBIs. His recent hot streak has raised his season average to .292. The Blue Jays need Glaus to stay healthy and keep hitting the ball well to help them make up for the injuries they have suffered so far this season.