NEW YORK (AP) -Needing to add depth for the final week of the season, the Toronto Blue Jays purchased the contract of outfielder John-Ford Griffin from Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday and placed Vernon Wells on the 60-day disabled list.
Griffin’s flight was scheduled to land in New York about noon, and the Blue Jays hoped he would arrive at the ballpark in time to be on the bench during their game against the Yankees. The start was scheduled for 1:05 p.m., but was delayed by rain.
“If he gets here, he might find his way in there,” Toronto manager John Gibbons said.
Griffin batted .252 with 26 home runs, 83 RBIs and 28 doubles in 133 games with Syracuse this year. This is his second stint in the majors. He played in seven games for the Blue Jays in 2005, going 4-for-13 (.308) with a homer and six RBIs.
“John-Ford back in action,” Gibbons said with a smile. “We’re just so thin right now.”
The Blue Jays are playing without two injured sluggers: Wells and Troy Glaus. First baseman Lyle Overbay will have season-ending surgery on his right hand Tuesday, and shortstop John McDonald was held out of the starting lineup Saturday for the fourth straight game because of a sore abdominal muscle.
Gibbons said McDonald might be available off the bench Saturday and could be back in the lineup Sunday.
Backup catcher Sal Fasano left the team before Friday night’s game to be with his wife, who is expecting a baby. Toronto recalled infielder Joe Inglett from Syracuse on Friday before the series opener against New York, a game the Blue Jays won 5-4 in 14 innings.
Wells, a Gold Glove center fielder, will have surgery Tuesday for a cyst and torn labrum in his left shoulder. He is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.
Wells hit .245 with 16 homers and 80 RBIs this season after signing a $126 million, seven-year contract extension through 2014.
Griffin was selected by the Yankees in the first round of the June 2001 draft, 23rd overall. They traded him to Oakland the next year in a three-team deal that also included Carlos Pena, Ted Lilly, Jeremy Bonderman, Jeff Weaver and Franklyn German.
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