DUNEDIN, Fla. – The Toronto Blue Jays have lost Michael Saunders, their new left-fielder, until sometime close to the all-star break after he stepped on a sprinkler head and tore the meniscus in his left knee while shagging flies during batting practice Wednesday.General manager Alex Anthopoulos said the “freak accident” will force Saunders to undergo surgery. Anthopoulos said the Jays would most likely fill the outfield spot with a player already in camp. Both Dalton Pompey and Kevin Pillar, who had been candidates for the centre-field job, can play any outfield spot. 
Saunders was acquired from Seattle for pitcher J.A. Happ in December and was generally regarded as a capable replacement for the departed Melky Cabrera. Saunders batted .273 with .341 on-base percentage and .450 slugging percentage last season.The Jays may be taking a conservative approach by saying Saunders should be playing by late June or the all-star break. Arthroscopic meniscus surgery usually requires a recovery time of four to six weeks.“My goal is to be back by the all-star break,” Saunders said. “I don’t see why there should be any hiccups in my rehab.”Saunders, a native of Victoria, B.C. said he and his family were excited about joining Canada’s only big-league team. He had reported early to camp, but less than three days after the official start of spring training, his excitement stalled in left field of a practice diamond at the Bobby Mattick Complex.He said the grass was “a little wet,” but doesn’t believe that contributed to the injury. Landing on the sprinkler head did the damage.“With Florida and the humidity, the fields in the morning hold the dew,” he said. “So it was a tiny bit slippery. I just think that I stepped in the wrong spot.”John Lott/ National Post
Saunders was acquired from Seattle for pitcher J.A. Happ in December and was generally regarded as a capable replacement for the departed Melky Cabrera. Saunders batted .273 with .341 on-base percentage and .450 slugging percentage last season.The Jays may be taking a conservative approach by saying Saunders should be playing by late June or the all-star break. Arthroscopic meniscus surgery usually requires a recovery time of four to six weeks.“My goal is to be back by the all-star break,” Saunders said. “I don’t see why there should be any hiccups in my rehab.”Saunders, a native of Victoria, B.C. said he and his family were excited about joining Canada’s only big-league team. He had reported early to camp, but less than three days after the official start of spring training, his excitement stalled in left field of a practice diamond at the Bobby Mattick Complex.He said the grass was “a little wet,” but doesn’t believe that contributed to the injury. Landing on the sprinkler head did the damage.“With Florida and the humidity, the fields in the morning hold the dew,” he said. “So it was a tiny bit slippery. I just think that I stepped in the wrong spot.”John Lott/ National Post
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
