Gregg

Zaun

Zaun is expected to be reduced to a backup role once the Orioles call up top prospect Matt Wieters, giving him minimal long-term fantasy value.

X-rays were negative and he should be able to return to the lineup Friday.

“Gregg has some options, but we’ve made it clear that he really liked Toronto,” agent Dan Horwits said. With Kevin Cash out of the picture, the Blue Jays want to enter next season with a tandem of Zaun and Greg Myers behind the plate. Guillermo Quiroz could be an option by midseason.

GM J.P. Ricciardi made it clear yesterday that he will offer Zaun arbitration. That could make him far less attractive to the A’s, who would have to forfeit a first-round pick to sign him. If Zaun is re-signed, the Blue Jays would use him and Greg Myers in tandem.

Zaun can run at about half speed, and is available to pinch-hit or catch in an emergency.

Quite a demand for a player that was unemployed on Opening Day 2004. If the Blue Jays can’t work out a deal with Zaun, he might head to Baltimore to act as Javy Lopez’s backup.

The wrist swelled up later that night, leaving Zaun with a brace on the wrist yesterday and out of action. He said it would be a few days before he could return. Zaun is expected to back up Brian Schneider this season.

Unfortunately, those 16 hits span all the way back to July 18, since which time Zaun’s average has fallen from .302 to .276, even though his slugging percentage has held steady at .401.

Zaun didn’t have a five-RBI game entering the year, but now he has two, with his first coming against the Red Sox on April 9. Amazingly, the Blue Jays won 12-0 tonight even though the top three hitters in the lineup went 0-for-13. Zaun, Shea Hillenbrand, Corey Koskie and Alex Rios all homered and had at least two hits and two RBI.

Molina has hit well of late, but Zaun is batting .163 with five RBI in 92 at-bats since the beginning of July. It’s not a bad idea for the Jays to use their second catcher as a DH on occasion, but they seem to be overdoing it since the Eric Hinske trade.