VILLANUEVA TOSSES FIRST REHAB GAME

DUNEDIN, Fla.—Toronto Blue Jays RHP Carlos Villanueva (sore right forearm) allowed an unearned run on one hit in his first rehab start for Class-A Dunedin against Daytona.

     Villanueva needed just 15-pitches, 12 for strikes in his one inning and allowed one hit with the runner scoring on a

double error by the infield.

     “It felt (like) fun to be out there,” said Villanueva who has been on the 15-Day DL since August 4, “It has felt longer than the three weeks it has been since I have been on the mound.   On the side that I felt no pain it tells me something I have wanted very badly since June.  Now one or two more then I will go back and help the guys up there.”

     Villanueva will pitch two innings for Dunedin on Wednesda.y.

     In closing Villanueva said,  ”If it’s up to me I want to go up and help the team quickly but I have learned through this process to be a little more patient.”

     LHP Brian Tallet (chest cartilage strain) will return to Toronto on Monday

after making four rehab appearances with Dunedin going 1-0 with a 2.25 era.