GameThread for Game 18: Jays @ Rays

With Michael Saunders getting his first start, we have 3 Canadian position players in the starting lineup, a first in MLB history.

There are all sorts of little bits of Blue Jays news today. First:

Steve Tolleson on #BlueJays: "They’re the first time to give me an opportunity to show what I can do, I’m forever thankful for that." #Class

— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) April 25, 2015

Very classy Steve.

• Johan Santana is still a long way from being game ready.
• Maicer Izturis is still a little ways from playing too.
• Felix Doubront is at extended spring training and will have 2 or 3 more starts before joining the Bisons.
• Alex says that the reason they released Romero now is because they didn't feel there was any chance he would be able to help the team this year, so they might as well let him look for another opportunity now.
• And, not Blue Jays related, but former Expos manager Jim Fanning passed away today. He seemed like a great guy, back when he was manager.

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