Michael Saunders Hurt and out until the All-Star Break

It was very sad to learn today that former Seattle Mariner Michael Saunders tore his meniscus at Spring Training with the Blue Jays. Reports say he won’t be ready to return until after the July All-Star break.

Even worse, Saunders didn’t tear his meniscus practicing speed drills, or even running into the right field wall at Safeco Field to make a spectacular catch. No, Michael Saunders got hurt in a far more sobering way:

What a terrible way for his season to begin with a new team. Saunders, who looked to start in the outfield for an offensively productive Blue Jays roster, is now leaving a void on their roster. Where will the Jays get that production through the All-Star Break? It remains to be seen, though I’d venture to guess that they will start in-house to see if anything sticks.

Saunders had a turbulent ending to his time with the Seattle Mariners. GM Jack and manager Lloyd McClendon didn’t have nice things to say about Saunders’ conditioning and work ethic following the 2014 season. They publically condemned him, and all but guaranteed he would be traded during the offseason.

And wouldn’t you know it, the Mariners traded Saunders– arguably their best offensive outfielder in 2014– to the Blue Jays for a mid to low end rotation pitcher in J.A. Happ.

Many M’s fans were unhappy with the front office after the trade. And still today there are reasons to be concerned about the move and its motive. It is so unfortunate to see Michael Saunders lost to injury for no fault of his own, and his surgery will not affect the questionable nature of the Mariners trade.

But either way you look at it, it is sad to see the Condor sidelined. He is a fun player, a charismatic player, and hopefully he finds a speedy recovery north of the border.