THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
TORONTO — Left-hander David Purcey was one of three players called up by the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday and he’ll take over the rotation spot that will soon be vacated by rookie Brett Cecil.
Reliever Jeremy Accardo and catcher/first baseman Kyle Phillips also joined the club from triple-A Las Vegas and are expected to be the club’s final September call-ups.
Purcey was 0-2 with a 7.01 ERA in five April starts before being demoted to Las Vegas, where he went 9-6 with a 4.46 ERA in 24 outings. Cecil will hit his innings cap during Thursday’s outing versus Minnesota, and Purcey will finish out the season in that spot.
"He’s going to pitch next (Tuesday)," said manager Cito Gaston.
The outings give Purcey a chance to show that he’s ironed out some of the command issues that plagued him earlier this season. While he’s likely to always be a pitcher who walks batters, the Blue Jays want to see him throw strikes more consistently.
Accardo heads to a weary bullpen that has had to carry a heavier load this season with the team’s starters not going as deep into games as they did last year. The right-hander has pitched in 19 games for Toronto, with one save and a 2.50 ERA in 19 games.
"We could use some help out there," Gaston said of his bullpen. "He’s been up and down this year, he’s pitched good for me, unfortunately he’s the one guy who had some options left. But he’s done OK, glad to have him back."
.It’s the first time in the big-leagues for Phillips, who was drafted by Minnesota in 2002. Phillips, the younger brother of former major-leaguer Jason Phillips, batted .300 with eight home runs and 29 RBIs in 76 games.
Also Tuesday, Toronto moved right-hander Shaun Marcum (elbow) from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL.
HOORAY FOR HILL: Blue Jays second baseman Aaron Hill made it to Palm Harbor, Fla., in time Monday night to see daughter Paige Victoria born.
Hill’s wife Elizabeth went into labour during Monday’s 6-3 loss to Minnesota and Hill left the game after the third inning to make his way to Florida.
His daughter was born around 10:45 p.m.
ROCKY RUIZ: Blue Jays first baseman Randy Ruiz was back in the Blue Jays lineup Tuesday after getting hit in the face by a Josh Towers fastball Sunday.
Ruiz emerged from the frightening incident relatively unscathed, and knowing how lucky he was.
"It just grazed me," Ruiz said. "Fortunately I turned my head and as I turned my head, I gave up some of the impact. I just thank God that I did that. …
"I’m just happy, everything went well. I took all the precautions. The doctors came over and checked me out, I went to the dentist (Tuesday) and checked to see that my jaw was all right. Everything is fine so I’m ready to go."
Ruiz understands the surprise at his speedy recovery, but has a simple explanation.
"You can’t break steel."
INJURED INGLETT: Blue Jays utilityman Joe Inglett was out of the lineup Tuesday after injuring an ankle in Monday’s game versus the Twins.
Manager Cito Gaston said the injury happened while Inglett was "just running" and that he could be ready for action Wednesday.
