The Toronto Blue Jays have had a very busy past couple of days as they prepare for their 2010 season which begins with an Opening Day contest against the Texas Rangers this coming Monday April 5th 2010.

The battle for the final two spots on the Blue Jays bench has come to an end with Jose Molina cementing himself as the Jays backup catcher, while speedster Mike McCoy won a bench spot over outfielder Jeremy Reed.

Molina beat out last season’s backup Raul Chavez for the roster spot. Molina will play once or twice a week according to manager Cito Gaston with the majority of playing time going to John Buck.

Chavez was sent to Triple A Las Vegas and will serve as prospect J.P Arencibia’s backup. Arencibia is touted as the catcher of the Jays future and with a good season should make a trip to the Major League roster sometime throughout 2010.

Molina hit .217 with 1HR & 11RBI in 52 games last season for the New York Yankees. Molina is more known around baseball as a top defensive catcher with incredible game calling abilities and should help aid in the development of Toronto’s young pitching staff.

McCoy, a speed demon on the base paths had a tremendous spring for Toronto barely beating out Reed, who some would say had the best spring for the Jays in 2010. Despite Reed’s excellent spring, the Jays were lacking in the speed department which pushed McCoy higher on Toronto’s depth charts as opposed to Reed.

Reed accepted an assignment to Triple A Las Vegas and will begin the season there.

McCoy has limited Major League experience with the Colorado Rockies, appearing in only 12 MLB games stealing two bases; he has yet to gain a Major League hit.

The Jays also demoted pitchers Jesse Carlson & David Purcey.

The Carlson demotion came as a surprise as he has been one of the more dependable relievers out of the Jays pen for two consecutive seasons.

Manager Cito Gaston & general manager Alex Anthopoulos said the move was tough, but Carlson did not get in enough work this spring due to a knee injury. Carlson will work out his arm in Triple A and should make his way back to the Jays bullpen sometime this season.

Purcey, who was drafted as a starting pitcher, but has struggled to find his command will be sent down to Triple A so he can work on becoming more of a relief pitcher. Purcey has the necessary stuff to stick it out in the big leagues, but a lack of control over his Major League tenure has spelled disaster for the youngster. With the excess of arms (some with no options remaining) vying for starting, as well as bullpen roles, Purcey became an easy call to send down for Toronto.

Finally, starting catcher John Buck can rest easy after a scare involving his family.

Buck’s family was involved in a car accident last Friday when an elderly woman ran a red light crashing into the side of his family’s sports utility vehicle.

Buck’s wife Brooke, his twins of 22 months and his mother in law were all in the car at the time of the accident. The twins suffered minor burns from the straps on their car seats while his mother in law experienced whiplash. Buck’s wife was hurt the most severe, separating her shoulder and elbow. The injuries may require surgery.

Buck, signed to be the Jays regular season starting catcher, is relieved that it was not more severe and will return to catch Shaun Marcum in a Minor League game today.

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