Dr. Death says Frank Francisco is okay; will start season on DL

The results from Frank Francisco’s meeting with Dr. James Andrews came in just after today’s ball game against the Phillies, and the news are…good! Sort of, anyway, considering that the bad news would have been “yep, you need Tommy John surgery.” As Brad Evans reported on Twitter earlier today, Dr. Doom/Death/Destruction confirmed the MRI done by the Jays staff doctors over the weekend, and there is no structural damage done to Francisco’s shoulder/pec. The hard-throwing reliever, who was expected to close for the bluebirds, will resume a throwing program this weekend, and will open the season on the DL as he won’t be ready in time for the first game of the season. This will mean that Jon Rauch, the giant of a man who is ironically kind of a soft tossing pitcher, will be in line to close. Rauch stepped into the closer’s role for the Twins last year when Joe Nathan was hurt and recorded 21 saves, though his 3.12/1.30 ERA/WHIP splits wer...