Vernon Wells News: Pro Sports Daily

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November 14

Toronto Star

"Toronto Blue Jays centrefielder Vernon Wells is expected to be ready for spring training after undergoing successful surgery on his left wrist, a team spokesman said Friday. The procedure was performed Thursday and repaired some cartilage damage in his left wrist, which he broke diving to make a catch against the Indians in 2008."

Blue Jays' Wells to undergo surgery

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November 4

Toronto Sun

"Agent Brian Peters isn't sure exactly when Vernon Wells' wrist began to ache. But it still was bothering him two weeks ago, after the season had come to an end. "Vernon told me his left wrist was still barking at him," Wells' agent said from Houston yesterday. Wells underwent an MRI, was examined by a specialist Thursday and next week will fly from Dallas to Phoenix to have arthroscopic surgery performed by Dr. Donald Sheridan in Scottsdale, Ariz. Sheridan will repair cartilage damage in Wells' left wrist. "I've sent a couple of my guys, Carl Crawford and Orlando Hudson, there before ... We've been talking to George Poulos (the Jays trainer)," Peters said. "Vernon needs to go in and get ..."

Cubs deny Bradley-for-Wells trade talks

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November 1

ESPN.com

"Although the Cubs have had discussions with Toronto about different scenarios, Cubs sources on Saturday vehemently denied that there is any type of a trade for Milton Bradley for Vernon Wells being discussed. Bradley had two years left on his contract at $21.5 million. Wells has five years left at $98 million, including $23 million each in the last two years of the contract."

Wells swap 'has legs'

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October 31

Toronto Sun

columnist Bob Elliott

"It's not a match made in heaven. In fact, it is quite the opposite. The Chicago Cubs would like to -- have to -- deal disgruntled outfielder Milton Bradley. And one player they are eyeing as a target destination is the Blue Jays, with centre fielder Vernon Wells going to the Cubs in return. "It's early on, but we think this one has some legs," said one Cubs official. "But they aren't the only team we are talking with." Bradley, 31, who was suspended for the remainder of the season by the Cubs on Sept. 20, has two years and $21 million US remaining on his contract. Wells has six years left on his contract extension, $107 million remaining, including the $8.5-million final instalment of his ..."

When the inmates run the place, something has to give

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October 4

Toronto Star

"With his seven-year, $126 million (U.S.) contract, Vernon Wells could buy just about anything his heart desires. But there have been times this year when he couldn't buy a hit. And, no matter how much he makes, he'll never be able to buy a veto over who manages him. Same with Lyle Overbay and the $7,925,000 (U.S.) he is knocking down. He doesn't get a vote, either. None of the Blue Jays do. Pro sports don't work that way. They are not democracies. They are not country clubs, either, where a bunch of rich guys vote one of their own into leadership and get to fire the bartender if he messes up the daiquiris."

Wells vows better things ahead after 'lost season'

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September 13

Toronto Star

"For Vernon Wells this has been a season from hell, easily the most miserable, personally, of his eight major-league campaigns. Entering last night, Wells' average with runners in scoring position stood at .197. His average at the Rogers Centre was .211. Worse, the abuse from the stands at home has been mean-spirited and relentless. At age 30, his critics are writing him off as washed up with the Jays still on the hook for $108.5 million (all figures U.S.) through the 2014 season. "It's been a shock, obviously, to see the reaction from people that you've kind of grown up with throughout your career," Wells said. "You kind of get a true understanding of how some people are. Some people will ..."

Wells looking forward to next season

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August 19

Toronto Sun

"Not that long ago in the season from hell that has no end in sight for Vernon Wells, the stats showed he could hit above .300 on the road but couldn't hit a lick at home (.189). But there's been a depressing change. Now, at least in his past six games on the road where he went a collective 5-for-26 (.192), the Blue Jays centre fielder can't hit away from Rogers Centre either. On the season, after playing 113 games, Wells is a flat .255 with 12 home runs and 48 RBIs. That puts him fourth on the team in home runs and just one ahead of shortstop Marco Scutaro. In the RBI race, he is fifth, two ahead of catcher Rod Barajas. In a season that is heading south for the Jays, it has already ..."

No offers, yet, for Vernon

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July 12

Toronto Sun

"While trade rumours circle the Blue Jays like sea gulls at a rib-fest, all is quiet on the Vernon Wells front. General manager J.P. Ricciardi, who looks as if he has a cell phone implanted into his ear, said that of all the calls he's received, none have been about the underachieving centre fielder who is owed $107 million US over the next five years from his seven-year, $126-million contract. As for the talk about the Jays attempting to twin Roy Halladay with Wells, that if a team wants Halladay it also has to take Wells - such as the Florida Marlins did in 2005 when they said any trade of Josh Beckett must also include third baseman Mike Lowell - Ricciardi said it is hokum. "No, no," ..."

Slump-ridden Wells is testing Gaston's patience

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July 4

Toronto Star

"The Yankeegate incident came right in the middle of the Bombers' go-ahead rally in the fifth. Umpires realized the huge gate leading to Monument Park at the new Yankee Stadium was wide open and halted the game. Maybe Yankee ghosts had seen enough and were headed back across 161st St. to their old haunts. The game must go on, so Jays centre fielder Vernon Wells looked for help, then walked out and awkwardly grabbed the padded door, pulling it shut by himself. Play ball! "I should have just closed it and stayed behind the gate," Wells said, his dry sense of humour echoing the sentiments of many Jays' fans. Only they're not joking. Responding via his actions to the first game of his ..."

Rolen's rocking but he knows the pain of a slump

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July 3

Toronto Sun

"Scott Rolen and Vernon Wells may be on the same team, but that's about all they have in common these days. Rolen, the Blue Jays third baseman, is hitting like he's never hit before, and is riding a career-high 19-game hit streak into New York for a four-game showdown against the Yankees. Wells, meanwhile, has hit the pits as he has just two hits in his past 19 at-bats after finishing the homestand going 8-for-32. In June, the veteran centre fielder hit .212 with just two homers and 11 RBIs."

All's not Wells

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June 14

Toronto Sun

"The natives are getting restless. With each successive Vernon Wells pop-up, or strikeout, or weak ground ball, the rumblings of dismay get a little louder, a little angrier. It will be scant satisfaction for those Blue Jay fans to understand that for every ounce of their own frustration, Wells is wearing a ton of it between his slumping shoulder blades. "You expect so much out of yourself and to struggle like this is very frustrating," he said after striking out to end yesterday's 6-5 Florida Marlins victory over the Jays this afternoon. "You have to forget about what has gone on and look at what's ahead of you. You can't change the past so you go into each at bat and try to find a pitch ..."

Wells, Hill laugh off Internet video

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April 22

Globe and Mail

"An interview in which Vernon Wells refers to teammate Aaron Hill as "a racist" is being laughed off as a big joke by the two Toronto Blue Jays players. "I knew what I was doing when I said it," Wells said before last night's game against the Texas Rangers. "I thought it was funny." The off-beat interview, which can be found on YouTube.com and other Internet sites, was conducted during spring training. During a question-and-answer session, an interviewer tells Wells one of his teammates might be inclined to sue him over some home decorating advice. Wells deadpanned the teammate must be Hill, and when asked why, he replies it's because his teammate is "a racist." Wells, who is black, later ..."

Wells asks for extra batting practice after Jays' loss

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March 22

Globe and Mail

"It was a game that reinforced the nature of spring training: anachronistic, yet with a bizarre parts-are-greater-than-the-sum-total twist. Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay started to elevate his pitches in his final inning of work and ended up giving up six runs, Scott Downs couldn't find the strike zone in his first outing of spring training and Curtis Thigpen started behind the plate. Did any of it mean anything? Not as much as the sight of Vernon Wells asking Cito Gaston if he could take extra batting practice after the game, just before the Blue Jays worked out some young players from the area in front of assistant general managers Alex Anthopoulous and Tony LaCava and the big-league ..."

Wells, Gaston feeling of confidence a mutual one

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March 19

Globe and Mail

"Managing Vernon Wells's leg injury will be part of Cito Gaston's daily to-do list. He will grant you that. Just don't try telling the Toronto Blue Jays manager that he will also be managing Wells's beefy contract. "No … how I've always done it is, I'm going to do what's best for the player," Gaston said yesterday, when asked how he will balance the day-to-day nature of Wells's injury with the seven-year, $126-million (U.S.) contract extension that has six more years to run. "The players will tell you how they feel. You have the doctors and the trainers, but it's the guys who will let you know how they feel. I'm honest with my guys. I expect them to be honest with me." Wells, who strained ..."

Wells is swinging again

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March 17

Toronto Sun

"Spring training officially started for Vernon Wells yesterday.Wells, who yanked his left hamstring back on Feb. 23 finally got into some game action as he made six at-bats in an intrasquad game Monday morning over at the Blue Jays minor-league complex."I got a hit, I struck out once, I hit a few balls hard and I came back in one piece," said Wells, always the humourist. The Jays and Wells, though, are still taking baby steps and he didn't go all out on the basepaths. In fact, he didn't go on them at all."They didn't really want me running hard," he said. "They pinch-ran for me every time."Wells hasn't heard from the Jays when they plan on bringing him into a regular spring training game as ..."

Jays' Wells enjoying getting back to work

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March 17

Toronto Sun

"DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Spring training officially started for Vernon Wells yesterday. Wells, who yanked his left hamstring back on Feb. 23 finally got into some game action as he made six at-bats in an intrasquad game yesterday morning over at the Blue Jays minor-league complex. "I got a hit, I struck out once, I hit a few balls hard and I came back in one piece," said Wells, always the humourist. The Jays and Wells, though, still are taking baby steps and yesterday he didn't go all out on the basepaths. In fact, he didn't go on them at all. "They didn't really want me running hard," he said. "They pinch-ran for me every time." Wells hasn't heard from the Jays regarding the plan on bringing ..."

Wells aims for opener

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February 25

Toronto Sun

"There are a few things Vernon Wells knows: Like taking the proper route to a ball lined in the gap. Puffing his cheeks like a blow fish, as Orlando Hudson used to say, when making contact on a home run. Or pain in his left hamstring. "When it happened, as soon as I did it, I knew what it was," Wells said yesterday. Wells strained his left hamstring Monday at the end of the Blue Jays pre-workout warmups. He went for an MRI later in the afternoon and the Jays initially figured he would miss an estimated four weeks. Wells suffered a Grade 2 strain of his left hamstring against the Baltimore Orioles July 10, 2008 and it was estimated he would miss four to six weeks. He missed 26 games. ..."

Blue Jays slugger Wells back in two weeks

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February 24

Toronto Star

"Blue Jays centre fielder Vernon Wells hopes to return to the lineup in about two weeks, but his injured hamstring muscles remain in a delicate and unpredictable state. "It's just a strain," Wells said today, referring to an MRI he received after tweaking the same hamstring injury he suffered last July. "It's the same injury I had (from last season) and (doctors) told me it's a unique injury. There's a chance of it coming back, of rupturing the tendon, but right now it's just a strain on the scar tissue from the original (injury)."

Wells out at least one month

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February 24

Globe and Mail

"Once a team holds it first full day of spring training workouts, not much good can happen until opening day - as the 2009 Toronto Blue Jays have already demonstrated. Vernon Wells suffered what the club called a left hamstring strain yesterday in a base-running drill late in workouts and is expected to miss at least four weeks. The injury is the same one that caused him to miss a month last summer. "At least it doesn't hurt as much as it did last time," Wells, who missed 52 games with wrist and hamstring injuries, said last night as he awaited the results of a magnetic resonance imaging examination that will determine the extent of the injury, with the results due today. "It's frustrating, ..."

Wells in doubt for opener after injuring hamstring

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February 24

Toronto Star

"Whoops, didn't see this coming. Vernon Wells reported to Jays spring training last week looking to all like he was in great shape. He had also hired a personal trainer to work with him every day this season. But Wells' status for opening day was thrown into doubt when the Jays revealed yesterday their centre fielder suffered a recurrence of the hamstring injury that plagued him last season. "He tweaked his hamstring again, he'll have an MRI ... and we'll know more (today)," Jays manager Cito Gaston said. Wells won't be in centre field tomorrow when the Jays open their Grapefruit League schedule at home against the Yankees. The question is how much time he'll miss and it's all but certain ..."

Wells out for one month

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February 23

Globe and Mail

"Toronto Blue Jays centre fielder Vernon Wells has suffered a strained left hamstring and is expected to be out of action for four weeks. Wells left the Blue Jays' spring training facility on Monday to have a magnetic resonance imaging test, which revealed the injury. The Blue Jays open their Grapefruit League schedule Wednesday against the New York Yankees. Toronto manager Cito Gaston said Monday that utility player Jose Bautista will see a lot of playing time in centre field during spring training, with right fielder Alex Rios shifting to centre on occasion. Travis Snider will see playing time in both left and right field this spring."

Frustrated Wells forced to sit

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February 21

Toronto Star

"Vernon Wells' wish for a second chance at the World Baseball Classic appears to have ended with an insurance snafu. "Right now I'm under the impression I'm not playing," the Blue Jays' centre fielder said yesterday about the upcoming WBC, which stops in Toronto March 7-11 and includes a Canada-U.S. matchup at the Rogers Centre. At issue is Wells' seven-year, $126 million (U.S.) contract and the required insurance policy Team USA must take out on Wells based on the value of the deal. Wells said the 52 days he spent on the disabled list in 2008 is a roadblock to obtaining the insurance."

No Classic for Wells

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February 20

Globe and Mail

"Add Vernon Wells's name to the growing list of players who will not take part in next month's World Baseball Classic. Wells, the Toronto Blue Jays' centre fielder who was expected to be part of Team USA when it competed in Canada's pool at the Rogers Centre beginning March 7, said Friday morning that insurance issues will prevent him from taking part. Wells said he had spoken to his agent, Brian Peters, about the matter two weeks ago and had heard nothing since. "Right now, I'm under the impression I'm not playing," Wells said, after a light workout on the day before the first full day of workouts. "It doesn't matter where it would be played, I would have loved to be a part of it. I think ..."

Vernon Wells' season shaping up nicely

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February 17

Toronto Star

"Vernon Wells climbed to major-league stardom and an incredibly rich contract in part by tuning out criticism of his seemingly laid-back approach to the game. Ever since his stunning 2003 season (33 homers, 117 RBIs, .317 average), Wells has been knocked, especially in the U.S. media, as a gifted player who doesn't take the game seriously enough. According to some sources, the Jays actually attempted to trade Wells at the 2006 winter meetings, but when no deal materialized, the organization made him the cornerstone of the club's future by awarding him a seven-year, $126 million (U.S.) contract extension. And with that monster deal came the inevitable question: Is Wells worth it?"

Wells short on optimism for '09

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December 23

Toronto Star

"Even the Jays' level-headed centre fielder Vernon Wells, usually a human shot of sunshine, has trouble seeing the usual reasons for optimism heading into the new year. "It's going to be challenging, given how well Tampa's been able to do and how well they did last year," Wells said from his Texas home. "Given the acquisitions the Yankees have made so far – and obviously they may not be done yet – and with Boston in the same division, it will be difficult." However, the ever-realistic Wells sees some reason for optimism even without the Jays making any more off-season moves. He has spoken with concussed Aaron Hill and realizes if the talented second baseman comes back healthy it will be a ..."

Halladay, Wells like way Blue Jays have responded

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September 16

Toronto Star

"Long ago, in a galaxy much like this one, the Toronto Blue Jays almost always found their Septembers full of meaning. Those particular annals are a little dusty now, but you could look it up. From 1985, the year of their first division title, through 1993, the year of their repeat World Series win, the Jays, between clinch dates and official elimination dates, played an astounding total of only 24 games that were of no consequence in the final scheme of things. That's not even three per season – none at all in 1987 or 1990 when they weren't eliminated until game No.162. In both 1989 and 1992, they clinched in game No.161; in '85, they nailed it with No.160. Twice, they had six left to play ..."

Grand night for Wells

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August 14

Toronto Sun

"Scott Downs was down. The drive hit to Alex Rios was in his glove and then it was down on the ground for a two-base error. While the Blue Jays escaped with a 4-3 win over the Detroit Tigers, who left the tying run at second before 39,073 fans at Comerica Park last night, Downs and Rios were not the two Jays' names all of baseball were contemplating last night. The 29 other clubs were considering the names Vernon Wells and John McDonald, after the Jays asked trade waivers on both Tuesday, according to a major league scout. Wells hit a grand slam in the third inning which was enough offence. Barely. It's not uncommon for players to be placed on waivers at this time of the season and it's ..."

Wells returns to Blue Jays lineup

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August 11

Globe and Mail

"After missing the past 26 games with a left hamstring strain, Toronto Blue Jays centre-fielder Vernon Wells returned to the lineup as a designated hitter on Sunday. Wells, who missed the past 26 games with a left hamstring injury, went 0-for-4 in his return to the lineup as a designated hitter, not giving much of a boost to the Jays' pop-gun offence after going 0-for-6 with a walk in a two-game rehab stint at triple-A Syracuse. On Sunday morning, Wells drove to Philadelphia from Scranton, Pa., where Syracuse played Saturday night, to catch a flight to Toronto that landed about three hours before the game against the Indians. "No matter what the situation is, you're going to try to get back ..."

Wells takes on DH role in return to Jays

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August 10

Sportsnet.ca

"After missing the past 26 games with a left hamstring strain, Toronto Blue Jays centre-fielder Vernon Wells returned to the lineup as a designated hitter on Sunday. Wells was to bat fourth against the Cleveland Indians in the finale of a seven-game homestand after going 0-for-6 with a walk in a two-game rehab stint (one game at DH, one game in centre field) at triple-A Syracuse. On Sunday morning, Wells drove to Philadelphia from Scranton, Pa., where Syracuse played Saturday night, to catch a flight to Toronto that landed about three hours before the game against the Indians. "No matter what the situation is, you're going to try to get back as quick as possible," Wells said after being ..."

Wells Is Close

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August 8

Toronto Sun

"Vernon Wells will be joining the Syracuse Chiefs for a triple-A game in Scranton to give his mended hamstring a test under game conditions. He'll play a game or two with the Chiefs and could be back in time for the Jays' series in Detroit starting Monday. "We'll see how he feels after the weekend," said general manager J.P. Ricciardi. "If the leg is close to 100%, he'll play (in centre field)." Wells has been sidelined since July 9 when he felt his hamstring pop as he decelerated into third base, going first to third on a base hit."

Wells out at least a month

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July 10

Globe and Mail

"Vernon Wells of the Toronto Blue Jays has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain of the left hamstring and will be lost to the ballclub from between four to six weeks, the American League team said this afternoon. The centrefielder injured himself stealing third base in the sixth inning of last night's game against the Baltimore Orioles and did not come out to play the seventh."

Blue Jays' Wells Sidelined Four-To-Six Weeks

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July 10

TSN.ca

"Toronto Blue Jays centre-fielder Vernon Wells will miss four-to-six weeks with a Grade 2 strain of his left hamstring. Wells was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday following the diagnosis, although the Blue Jays did not immediately announce a corresponding roster move. He was hurt stealing third base in Wednesday's 9-8 win over Baltimore, pulling up from his slide awkwardly and then clutching the area around his left knee."

With Vernon Wells as their leader, the Blue Jays are going nowhere, again

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June 17

Toronto Sun

"With Wells as the club's so-called star and leader, the race for a playoff spot is over ... again ... for the Jays. But Wells is the guy general manager J.P. Ricciardi signed two years ago to a $126-million extension -- at the time, the sixth largest in MLB history -- to be the franchise player, the anchor, the rock, the spark of this team. And he just isn't cutting it. In any way, shape or form."

Wells' tale of the tape can't mend Jays' woes

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June 10

Toronto Star

"One Jays' bright spot over the last three games has been the unexpected return to the lineup of centre fielder Vernon Wells. It has made a difference on the field if not in the standings. Last night, Wells made three tough catches look easy, put the ball in play that scored the tying run in the seventh and reached base to lead off the 10th. Amazing considering where he was physically just 31 days ago. On May 10, in the visiting clubhouse in Cleveland, when Wells offered his injured left wrist for reporters to examine the day after he had fractured a bone executing a brilliant diving catch, many among the unwashed doubting Thomases of the media shook their head sagely, feeling it would ..."