Are Injuries the Main Reason the Blue Jays Have Disappointed in 2012?

Injuries are part of the game and should be expected over a 162-game schedule.

For the Toronto Blue Jays, competing for a playoff spot would have been a challenging task with a healthy lineup.

They currently have 13 players on a lengthy disabled list that includes J.P Arencibia (broken right hand), Jose Bautista (left wrist inflammation), Kyle Drabek (torn right elbow ligament), Jason Frasor (right forearm tightness), Drew Hutchison (right UCL sprain), Brett Lawrie (strained left oblique), Adam Lind (mid-back strain), Brandon Morrow (strained left oblique), Luis Perez (torn ligament in left elbow), and Sergio Santos (right shoulder inflammation).

Perhaps losing Morrow, Drabek and Hutchison over a four-game span (June 12-16) was the biggest blow to the Jays' frustrating season. 

The loss of Morrow hurt the most as he had taken over for Ricky Romero as the club’s ace and was poised for a breakout season.

The 28-year-old had posted a 7-4 record with a 3.01 ERA and three complete-game shutouts.

It's easy to point the finger at the Blue Jays’ swollen disabled list and blame their injuries for their disappointing season; but instead of doing that, let’s take a look at the performances of players that have failed to meet expectations. 

Ricky Romero has by far had the most disappointing season.  He entered the year as the ace of the staff but hasn’t pitched anywhere near his capabilities. 

Overall, he has delivered 12 quality starts over 26 turns, but has given the Jays just five over his last 14. 

Romero has not looked anything like the pitcher we have seen the past couple of seasons and has struggled vastly since beginning the season 8-1. 

He hasn’t won a game since June 5 and is currently on a 10-game losing streak spanning 11 starts; he's given up five earned runs or more in six of those appearances. 

Romero walked eight batters over 5.1 innings in his most recent appearance against the Detroit Tigers and appears to have lost his confidence.

“I’m the guy that lost the game, I sucked,” he said via The Toronto Sun. “It’s baffling, it keeps going on and on and on and on.”

It remains to be seen if he’s attempting to pitch through a minor injury or if his mechanics are out of whack. 

However, he’s proved how good he can be over the last couple of seasons and like other pitchers around the league (Tim Lincecum, John Lester, Dan Haren, and Josh Beckett, etc.), his struggles could be attributed to an off year. 

Adam Lind and the departed Eric Thames began the season as the Opening Day first baseman and left fielder, respectively. 

Both players were expected to play a significant role in the team’s offense. 

Lind was inserted in the cleanup spot to provide protection for Jose Bautista, while Thames opened as the club's No. 7 hitter.

After providing each player with ample opportunity to work through their struggles at the major league level, the Jays eventually grew impatient and optioned both players to Las Vegas.

Lind was first placed on waivers as he batted just .186 with three home runs and 11 RBI in 34 games. To his credit, he improved his play after he was recalled, but has been on the DL since July 26.

Thames wasn’t much better. In 43 games, he hit .243 with three homers and 11 RBI. 

He was later traded to the Seattle Mariners on July 31 for right-handed reliever Steve Delabar.

In the offseason, the Jays signed former Reds closer Francisco Cordero, who was coming off a 5-3 season and had converted 37-of-43 save opportunities to bolster their bullpen.    

He struggled mightily in his second tour of duty in the American League. 

The veteran right-hander sported an uninspiring 5.77 ERA and horrific 1.81 WHIP as he went 0-3 with two saves and three blown saves over 43 games. Opponents also hit .340 against him.

He was ultimately shipped to the Houston Astros as part of the deal that brought J.A Happ and Brandon Lyon to Toronto.

Injuries have certainly played a large role in the Blue Jays’ lack of success this season, but anytime your staff ace, Opening Day first baseman, left fielder and projected set-up man fail to meet expectations, disappointment is all but certain.