Simon

Pond

He probably isn’t worth owning right now, Pond should be viewed as a sleeper after a strong spring. The Blue Jays have one roster decision still to make. It appears that they’re leaning toward going with 11 pitchers and carrying outfielder Chad Hermansen. Justin Miller, who seems to be the 12th pitcher, would go on the disabled list in that scenario. The return of Tom Wilson could be another possibility.

He stroked a single of Twins’ starter Brad Radke in last night’s 9-5 loss to Minnesota. Pond is just a bench player, and is not a fantasy asset at this time.

Toronto intends to play Rios in right field every day (at least until Frank Catalanotto returns from injury) and shift Reed Johnson to left. With Eric Hinske firmly entrenched at third base, and with Josh Phelps at DH, there is no place for Pond to play.

That’s better. Pond should take over as the primary right fielder against right-handers. He might not be much defensively at the position, but neither was Howie Clark. AL-only leaguers would be smart to pick him up.

The Blue Jays face right-handers in each of the next six games, so Reed Johnson will sit. Pond went 0-for-2 with two walks tonight in his return to majors.

Pond, 28, got 49 at-bats with the Blue Jays last season, hitting .163/.250/.265. He’ll be a regular at Triple-A Pawtucket.

Pond had a breakthrough season at age 26 while splitting time between Double-A New Haven (953 OPS in 61 games) and Triple-A Syracuse (813 OPS in 63 games). The decision to add him to the 40-man roster means that the Jays see him as a strong candidate to make next year’s team as a reserve infielder.

Pond is 8-for-20 this spring. He’s looking like a strong candidate for a spot on the Toronto bench, but it’s hard to see him getting much playing time unless Josh Phelps struggles or Eric Hinske gets hurt.

Manager Carlos Tosca said Pond will spell Reed Johnson against tough right-handers when Johnson needs a day off and will provide an early pinch-hitting option.

The Blue Jays make a lot of smart moves, but every once in a while they’ll do something like this that makes us really question their decision-making progress. Pond was terrific in the minors last year. He was terrific in winter ball. He was even in terrific in the spring, winning himself a spot on the Toronto bench. Now, just one week later, the Blue Jays have decided not to carry him, even though absolutely nothing has changed. If Pond isn’t going to play, maybe sending him down is the right move. Still, it clearly weakens the team’s bench.