Jason

Arnold

Arnold gave up one run over 5 1/3 innings, striking out five and walking one. He will make a few more starts with Dunedin before joining double-A New Hampshire for their post-season. After that, Arnold is expected to participate in the Arizona Fall League. He could get a long look in spring training.

Arnold was 3-1 with a 1.53 ERA at Double-A New Haven, then 4-8 with a 4.33 ERA at Triple-A Syracuse. The Jays think highly of him and will have a lot of spots to fill in spring training. Arnold has been a starter his entire professional career, but was a closer for three seasons at the University of Central Florida. He’s someone to watch in March.

Arnold would likely be in the majors right now had he not gotten hurt earlier this season. As is, he’s unlikely to see any time with the Blue Jays prior to 2005.

Arnold has given up 26 hits, but he has a 15/1 K/BB ratio. After missing most of 2004 due to a shoulder injury, he’s likely to head back to Triple-A for the start of next season. He’ll probably join the Blue Jays as either a starter or a reliever prior to the All-Star break.

Arnold got off to a good start in his first year as a reliever, but he ended up with a 6.39 ERA in 62 IP. Tablado, a 2000 fourth-round pick, played well enough last year to get himself added to the 40-man roster. Bumped up to Double-A this season, he hit just .201/.251/.284. Both players will remain in the organization, but neither is in the Jays’ plans.

Arnold got off to a good start in his first year as a reliever, but since he hasn’t performed well in months, he probably won’t be called up next month. It’s likely that he’ll be removed from the Jays’ 40-man roster in the offseason.

Arnold pitched a couple of hitless innings in camp, but after his shoulder problems and loss of velocity last season, he wasn’t in the running for a job. He can help himself by getting off to a good start in Triple-A. The Blue Jays have no clear sixth starter with Miguel Batista moving to the pen, and Arnold could turn himself into a candidate.

Arnold went 3-1 with a 1.53 ERA, 18 H, and 33/11 K/BB in 35 1/3 IP for Double-A New Haven. He’ll probably make it to Toronto in the second half of the season.

Arnold and Griffin should both be September callups. Arnold could make his major league debut before then, but the Blue Jays would probably prefer not to have to rush him.

Since the Blue Jays figure to add one more starting pitcher, Arnold likely will compete with Josh Towers and Mark Hendrickson for one spot in next year’s rotation. Towers’ strong performance last in the season makes him the favorite for the job, but it should be Arnold’s spot eventually. McGowan could become a factor in August or September.