Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Adam Lind is getting a second chance to make a first impression. The sweet-swinging 24-year old got off to a rough start in his first callup of the season, going 1-for-19 to earn a quick demotion back to Triple-A Syracuse. But, in new manager Cito Gaston, Lind finds himself back in a big league uniform and with the best opportunity of his career.

Gaston has already said that playing Lind every day will be an organizational goal. He cites the fact that Lind has hit at every level he’s been and that he just needs to consistently be in the lineup to do the same in the majors. Gaston, taking over for John Gibbons who was fired last Friday, is also regarded as one of the best hitting instructors in the game; an obvious benefit to Lind. Read more »

Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez’s rare grand slam-early exit combination did nothing to help fantasy owners on Monday night. He staked himself to a second-inning lead, off Johan Santana no less, then left in the fifth inning after spraining his ankle covering home plate. In most cases, owners got nothing for the slam and were left an out away from a valuable win.

The start would have only gotten better for Hernandez, who entered Monday’s contest on a four-start winning streak. Including his 4.2 innings and 1 earned run against the Mets, Hernandez has pitched to a 4-0 record, 1.36 ERA and 31 strikeouts in his last five outings (33 innings). Read more »