Blue Jays Morning Brew: Pompey, Willie Jays Hayes and more

Your Toronto Blue Jays news and notes for Wednesday, April 26th, 2017.

Dalton Pompey injury update

The struggle is real for outfielder Dalton Pompey who envisioned himself as a contender for the starting left field position in the spring. Pompey suffered a concussion sliding into second base during the World Baseball Classic and was transferred to the 60-day disabled list ensuring the speedster is out until at least June. An unfortunate set of circumstances for the young Canadian.

Chris Coghlan channels his inner “Willie Mays Hayes”

If you were not tuned into the Blue Jays telecast last night you arguably missed the best run-scoring sequence at home plate by Chris Coghlan who somersaulted over Yadier Molina landing on the plate to avoid the tag from the catcher. Willie Mays Hayes has nothing on the Blue Jays own “Willie JAYS Hayes”.

I am pretty sure Coghlan broke the internet with millions of gifs and memes instantly taking over the “Twittersphere” immediately following the epic leap.

Marcus Stroman registers first big league hit

If the Coghlan dramatics weren’t enough yesterday, the skipper called on Marcus Stroman to pinch hit for Jason Grilli in the 11th inning of a tied game. The former Collegiate infielder, of course, doubled down the left field line and eventually came around to score the winning run as the Jays edged the Cardinals 6-5 in extras.

You can bet John Gibbons will call on the Stro Show to pinch hit again after last night’s heroics.

J.P. Howell activated from DL 

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• Blue Jays: Adam Cimber, the unlikely decision King

Reliever J.P. Howell was activated from the disabled list prior to last night’s contest. In a corresponding move, the Jays optioned Leonel Campos to Triple-A Buffalo. The 29-year old Campos saw one appearance while with the big club tossing 1.2 innings of shutout ball.

Mark Buehrle takes in Jays/Cards game

Former Blue Jays pitcher and Missouri native Mark Buehrle took in the Jays contest last night and spoke about his impact he had on Marco Estrada during his tenure in Toronto. The soft-tossing lefty looks like he is in game shape.

Stroman even took notice that “Papa Buehrle” was in the house dedicating his first major league hit to the crafty veteran.

Brett Cecil faces his former mates

Brett Cecil faced his former teammates for the first time since signing with the Cardinals as a free agent. The 30-year old hurler spent eight seasons in Toronto after being drafted in the 1st round, 38th overall of the 2007 amateur draft. Cecil’s reunion did not go as planned as he walked Kevin Pillar and was touched up for an rbi single off the bat of Jose Bautista.

Cecil who has struggled out fo the gate is still adjusting to life in St. Louis as is his son who still cannot figure out where Josh Donaldson went this season. Pool kid, real life struggles.

Next: Blue Jays have a friend in Pujols?

That concludes another edition of the Morning Brew, the Jays will be in tough tonight as Mat Latos takes the bump opposite Cardinals ace Carlos Martinez.