A.J. Jimenez heading for Tommy John surgery

Blue Jays catching prospect A.J. Jimenez hasn't played for the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats since May 13 -- and probably won't play again until next year. Jimenez, bothered by a sore elbow, was told on Friday he will need Tommy John ligament replacement surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Jimenez had pictures taken at a local hospital and later left the ballpark with his elbow wrapped. He told Fisher Cats fan Brad Bacon that surgery was already scheduled. Fisher Cats manager Sal Fasano said Jimenez will receive a second opinion but is "most likely" headed for TJS. Fasano said the elbow ligament is "hanging by a thread."


The 22-year-old Jimenez had been throwing lasers to second base this season, nailing 55 percent of would-be base stealers and picking off three runners. To replace Jimenez, the Blue Jays called up Sean Ochinko from Advanced-A Dunedin. @TheBigOShow14 made his Eastern League debut against Trenton and went 0-3 with two pop outs and and an f-9 ... A.J. Instagrammed: 

Kevin Littlefield/Staff

The world would be a better place if we all shaved an image of Matt Bonner onto our heads and embraced his values and work ethic. That is all. Thank you.

Only the greatest thing you'll see all day (week, month?): "A young San Antonio Spurs fan faces an in-school suspension on Thursday if he doesn't somehow find a way to alter the image of Matt Bonner shaved into the back of his head." The writing by Kelly Dwyer at Yahoo's Ball Don't Lie is splendid, dripping with Red Rocket-esque sarcasm. Please, people. We need to get this kid on our radio show with Matt Bonner. Pass it along.

 Photo: twitter.com/Grace__White

Back in Blue Video Podcast XIX

My boys at Black in Blue keep grinding out episodes. This time, they talk about John Farrell's lineup changes, minor-league signee Vladimir Guererro and check in with Blue Jay Hunter. They also give away a BIB tee. The show-ending handshake is a little awkward. Mix it up, eh? Proud to say I was the first guest on this show.

Love, Ax

SO GOOD. Here is the note John Axford left for the media, snapped by @JordanSchelling, after his streak came to an end, and he had to dash off to the hospital. If only Fisher Cats manager Sal Fasano would take a similar approach instead of shutting his office door when the team loses.

Chris Carpenter talking about his neck/shoulder/nerve issues

Chris Carpenter has spent the past few weeks strengthening his shoulder and preparing for a throwing program. He said his neck and shoulder feel great, but the true test will come when he picks up a baseball.  In 2004, Carpenter was sidelined with a similar nerve-related injury late in the season and didn’t pitch against the Red Sox in the World Series. 

“Just a lot of rehab right now. We’re taking our time,” he said. “There was a neck issue that affected the nerves in my arm. With my past history, we’re slowing everything down and getting everything working properly ... To be honest with you, with everything that’s gone on in my career, I’m playing with fire all the time. I’m OK with it. You deal with injuries in this business. You never want an injury to end your career, but you deal with it all the time in this business. Fortunately, we have great trainers and doctors that get you back on the field.”

Asked if he’ll be ready to pitch in the 2012 postseason, he said, “I think I’ll be back before that, to be honest with you. I just can’t answer that question until I start throwing again.”