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TORONTO – The Blue Jays made a roster move of some significance prior to the start of an important four-game series with their division rival Red Sox, designating for assignment struggling reliever Sergio Santos. Alex English Nuggets Jersey . It was a move of some time in the making. “He hasnt thrown well, clearly some guys are being used more than him right now and the only way to get out of this funk is to pitch,” said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. “But its hard to find a spot for him right now, certainly not a long guy, and hes not going to be used late in the game.” That much is true. Santos had fallen out of favour with manager John Gibbons and had lost the confidence of other members of the coaching staff. In his last four outings, the most recent of which was July 12, Santos allowed five earned runs on seven hits and four walks in just 2 1/3 innings. He hadnt been used by Gibbons since the club returned from the All-Star break. Long man Todd Redmond had taken the role once reserved for Santos. After his July 12 outing in Tampa Bay, in which he allowed two runs in one inning, Santos alluded to difficulty harnessing his slider due to a lack of work. It became clear, then, that the two sides were at a crossroads. The manager had no faith in the pitcher and, therefore, wasnt using him in critical situations. The pitcher knew he was on the outs and his performance reflected that doubt. Theres also the business of the game. First, the Blue Jays: Santos makes $3.75-million. Thats a team-friendly number. The contract, as a whole, is club-friendly because the guaranteed portion expires at the end of the season. Santos has club options for three years, through 2017, at these escalating numbers: $6-million, $8-million, $8.75-million. If in any year Santoss option is declined, hed be due a paltry $750,000 buyout. If Santos is claimed on waivers, the deadline for a team to do so is Wednesday and the remainder of his salary would be off the Jays books. Its not a lot of money, but its something, if the club is working on a strict dollar in-dollar out policy as the trade deadline approaches. Anthopoulos reacted to the contrary. The plan, he said, is to keep Santos in the organization. “Like we told him, hes certainly not the first talented, good player to go through this before whether its the Linds or the Encarnacions,” said Anthopoulos. “The way to get things worked out is to go throw some innings. He was put on waivers today, Wednesday, well find out if he gets claimed or clears. Then, he would be active down there to pitch. We told him, hopefully, this is an Encarnacion scenario, go down there, throw a lot, hell be a priority guy, get back on track and be that dominant reliever we know he can be that we saw at the end of last year, that we saw at the beginning of the year before the rough trip with the Twins.” Its interesting that Anthopoulos references the “rough trip with the Twins.” Santos was part of that eighth-inning implosion the night of April 17. It was the back end of a doubleheader. The bullpen coughed up a late lead, allowing six runs on just one hit, eight walks and three wild pitches. Santos was responsible for three of the runs, three of the walks and all three wild pitches. Some believe he never recovered from the experience on that frigid night. Second, Santoss perspective: He surely knows the Jays are unlikely to pick up that $6-million option for 2015. It would be best for him to move to another organization, get a fresh start and, in the best-case scenario, find command of his wicked slider and finish the year strong. If that option isnt going to be picked up, at least a good final two months could result in a bump in next years salary. Santos wasnt happy. A source close to the pitcher told TSN.ca, hed recently made his feelings known to the organization. Anthopoulos said Santos did not request a trade. “No, no, not at all,” said Anthopoulos. “Hes a very accountable guy. He knows he hasnt pitched to his ability. He knows he can be a dominant closer, set-up guy, whatever is needed. Like anybody, he has all the belief in the world in himself, hell be fine. Hell get it back. He has way too much talent.” Chances are Santos gets it back somewhere else. Tyler Lydon Nuggets Jersey . And fellow Leaf, Jake Gardiner, hiking in Whistler. Michael Porter Nuggets Jersey . -- Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew practiced in a limited capacity Friday, a positive sign he might be able to play against the Tennessee Titans.(SportsNetwork.com) - The Vancouver Canucks will try to win two straight games for the first time since mid-January on Monday night as they play host to the struggling New York Islanders. The Canucks are coming off just their second victory in 13 games, having bested the Calgary Flames 2-1 on Saturday. That improved Vancouver to just 2-10-1 since Jan. 26. Eddie Lack settled down to finish with 22 saves after giving up the first goal of the game early in the second period on a slap shot from center ice taken by Calgarys Brian McGrattan. Darren Archibald tied the game with his first career NHL goal and defenseman Yannick Weber had the game-winner five minutes into the third period. With the win, Vancouver snapped a four-game slide and sits four points back of the Dallas Stars for the second wild card spot in the Western Conference. It was a grind for both teams," said Canucks head coach John Tortorella. "Were just looking for points." Canucks winger Zack Kassian began serving a three-game suspension on Saturday that was handed down for an illegal check in Thursdays loss in Dallas. The Islanders wrap up a four-game swing through Western Canada tonight and are 1-1-1 on the treek. Jarred Vanderbilt Nuggets Jersey. The regulation loss came last time out on Friday, a 4-3 setback to the Flames in which New York failed to hold a two-goal lead in the third period. Colin McDonald, Kyle Okposo and Brock Nelson lit the lamp for the Islanders, who have lost six of their past eight overall. Anders Nilsson made only 19 stops in the loss. "Its mental at this point," said Okposo, who had a shot ring off the post during a 5-on-3 power play early in the third period. "We give up one then we sit back and let them back in the game. We have to say enoughs enough." While Lack is likely to face the Islanders for the first time in his career tonight, it is unknown who will get the call for New York. Nilsson has never faced Vancouver, while Evgeni Nabokov is 14-7-3 with a 2.40 goals against average versus the Canucks. Nabokov made 28 saves in a 5-4 overtime loss to the visiting Canucks back on Oct. 22 in the first of two meetings this season. Nelson scored his first NHL goal in the setback, New Yorks third in a row to Vancouver. Brad Richardson had the game-winner for the Canucks, who have won four of five and eight of the past 10 encounters at home in this series. ' ' '