f injuries. They were without eight players, includi

DUNEDIN, Florida – General manager Alex Anthopulos was expected to return on Tuesday from a business trip to the Dominican Republic. While he was away, it was the division-rival Baltimore Orioles conducting a little business of their own, scooping up Ubaldo Jimenez on Monday evening to a reported four-year, $50-million contract. Jimenezs signing leaves only one remaining marquee starting pitcher on the market. That would be Ervin Santana, with whom the Jays have been linked for what feels like an eternity. Santana is coming off a strong year for the Royals, in which he authored a 3.24 ERA and a 1.142 WHIP over 211 innings. Hes exceeded the 200-inning plateau in four of the last six seasons, which reflects positively on his durability but would give a club pause when considering how much, and how long, to invest in a 31-year-old. "Some things could still change but were going forward with what we have unless something happens," said manager John Gibbons. "We like this group. Thats not my department. You know, Alex is working hard. Hes been doing it all winter, half of last season, looking at some different options." Its anyones guess who will fill out the back end of the Jays rotation. Esmil Rogers (4-7, 4.89, 1.434 WHIP in 106 2/3 innings as a starter last season) and Todd Redmond (4-2, 4.41, 1.240 WHIP in 69 1/3 innings as a starter last season) appear to have the inside track, if only because both are out of options. Whoever doesnt win the starting job, if he isnt sent to the bullpen, could be lost on waivers if an attempt is made to send him to the minors. There appears to be a preference for starting Drew Hutchison and Kyle Drabek, both of whom had Tommy John elbow surgery during the 2012 season but who have returned to full health, at Triple-A Buffalo. Marcus Stroman, a top prospect, doesnt expect to crack the opening day roster but hopes to prove in spring training he can compete with big league talent. Lefthander Sean Nolin, shelled in his one-off debut against the Orioles last May, could be a factor. Chad Jenkins, who is effective more often than not when called upon, should be afforded consideration. Ricky Romero would have to show significant signs of improvement this spring to have a chance at cracking the roster. Hutchison and Drabek come from similar backgrounds in that theyve both had regular turns in the rotation, only to go down with injury. Now theyre trying to work their way back to Toronto – this time for good – knowing the odds, at least initially, are stacked against them. Drabek pays his predicament no mind. "You just kind of have to go into it thinking its your job," said Drabek. "Ive won a job before and, you know, thats kind of how I prepare for it. Thats how my Dad wanted me to. Just go in there, do every thing you can right and really not think about it." "You obviously have to earn it," said Hutchison. "You got there once so you obviously know youre capable of it and you believe in yourself and you know what you can do. Its really about just coming out here and competing and getting the job done." If Santana eludes them or the term and money prove to be too much of a gamble for Anthopoulos, the Jays will need one of their young pitchers to emerge a pleasant surprise. Its not the situation a team built to win now wants but after a quiet offseason, its the scenario which seems most favourable at the moment. NFL JERSEYS OUTLET . Its other five picks were all six foot or better, with three at 6-1 or above. Third-round pick Brett Lernout stands six foot four and weighs 206 pounds. CHEAP ADIDAS NHL JERSEYS .Y. - The New York Islanders are brimming with confidence these days, thanks to a standout goalie and a newfound winning attitude. http://www.nflchinajerseyscheapwholesale.com/. In his first game with Boston University, the 17-year-old Eichel picked up five assists as his Boston University Terriers thumped St. CHEAP NIKE NFL JERSEYS .Y. -- Florida Panthers captain Ed Jovanovski finally has something to show for all the pain he went through in overcoming a string of injuries that kept him sidelined for much of the past two years. WHOLESALE NFL JERSEYS CHINA . - Jason Day and Cameron Tringale shot an 8-under 64 on Friday in modified alternate-shot play to increase their lead to three strokes in the Franklin Templeton Shootout.COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Toronto Maple Leafs found out less than an hour before the start of their game Friday night in Columbus that forward Joffrey Lupul would be out indefinitely after breaking his right hand in a fall at practice the day before.They didnt seem to miss him.Daniel Winnik and Phil Kessel each had a goal and two assists, and Jonathan Bernier made 28 saves to lead the Leafs past the injury-riddled Blue Jackets 4-1.It was kind of a surprise to everyone that it was actually broken, coach Randy Carlyle said. But then the game goes on. Thats what you have to do. Tonight we found a way to get the job done. It wasnt pretty, but it was effective.Nazem Kadri added a goal and an assist and David Clarkson also scored for the Maple Leafs, who are 3-0-1 on the road and 2-4-0 at home.Its fun to see back-to-back games with a great effort, Bernier said, referring also to his 4-0 shutout victory over Buffalo on Tuesday. Maybe the only thing we were missing a little bit is just the compete level — taking it a notch up. We had that in the last two.Kessel punched in a shot that went to video review before it was confirmed. Clarkson redirected a pass from Dion Phaneuf on the power play, and Kadri finished a 2-on-1 feed from Kessel in the third. Winnik scored his 50th NHL goal late in his 500th career game.If you wanted to write up how a 500th game is supposed to go, tonight is (it), Winnik said.After a 10-minute review, Kessel was awarded his goal in the first.He was at the left doorstep after shots by Winnik and Kadri were deflected by goalie Curtis McElhenny. Kessels shot off a rebound was deflected off the right skate of Columbus defenceman Fedor Tyutin, who had come in behind McElhenny. The review showed the puck briefly crossed the goal line before ricocheting out off Tyutins blade.A large contingent of Toronto fans in the crowd of 14,479 chanted Lets go, Leafs! several times during the game.Shortly after Columbus Jack Johnsoon — also playing his 500th game — went off for interference, Phaneufs drive from the point was redirected by Clarkson for his third of the season.ddddddddddddClarkson had his stick straight out at waist height and deflected the puck down and past a helpless McElhenny.Kessel then carried the puck down the right wing early in the third, making a late feed behind the defenceman for a jam shot by Kadri.Its nice to get some puck luck and a couple of bounces here and there, Kadri said. Thats what happens when you play the right way and you stay with it.Cam Atkinson scored and Ryan Johansen had an assist to set a Columbus record with his 10-game point streak to start the season. It was the fourth loss in a row for the Blue Jackets.Bernier lost his shutout midway through the third period when he stopped Johansens drive from the right circle but lost track of the puck, which was underneath him. Atkinson chopped it into the net for his fifth goal.The Blue Jackets have been hurt by a scourge of injuries. They were without eight players, including forwards Nathan Horton (back), Boone Jenner (broken hand), Brandon Dubinsky (abdominal surgery), Matt Calvert (upper body), Artem Anisimov (concussion), Mark Letestu (groin), goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (broken finger) and top offensive defenceman James Wisniewski (broken finger).For guys being called up and the second, third and fourth lines being jumped around a little bit, its tough for them, Johansen said. Its not easy adjusting to different players all the time. But weve got to find a way to make it work.NOTES: Blue Jackets LW Nick Foligno, just back from missing one game after injuring his neck in a collision with an official, celebrated his 27th birthday. ... The Maple Leafs James van Riemsdyk stayed down on the ice after Jared Boll rolled over his legs late in the second, then returned for the third.___Follow Rusty Miller on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/RustyMillerAP ' ' '