m to do a lot of things. I think we have a very unself

Following Fridays game, The Toronto Blue Jays activated pitcher Dustin McGowan from the 60-day disabled list and optioned pitcher Todd Redmond to the Buffalo Bisons. The last time Andy LaRoche was at Rogers Centre, he played three different infield positions for the Oakland Athletics over a three-game series. He should expect more of the same now that hes back in Toronto with the Blue Jays. LaRoche was called up from the triple-A Buffalo Bisons on Friday along with catcher Josh Thole while veteran catcher Henry Blanco was designated for assignment. LaRoche, who was signed to a minor-league deal in January, hit .282 with seven homers and 32 RBIs in 49 games with the Bisons this season. Hell give the Blue Jays some infield depth and will likely see action at third base with Brett Lawrie out with a high ankle sprain. "Well pick our spots, hell get some action," manager John Gibbons said before Friday nights game against Texas. "Could be second, could be third, could be first," he added. LaRoche, 29, split last season between triple-A Columbus and Pawtucket. He made his big-league debut in 2007 and has 22 homers and 113 RBIs in 403 career games with the Athletics, Los Angeles Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates. "LaRoche is a natural fit for us," Gibbons said. "Hes been around, hes an old vet. "He fits in, he can play some third base for us now that Bretts down. So its a good addition." LaRoche and Thole were not in the starting lineup for the opener of a three-game series against the Rangers. Regular starter J.P. Arencibia was behind the plate and Maicer Izturis got the start at third base. LaRoche said he has played all four infield positions over the last two years but is most comfortable at third base. "Whatever role they want me to play, (I hope to) do it as (well) as I can and hopefully help contribute to this team and just help them win as much as I can," LaRoche said. Thole, 26, was acquired last December in the R.A. Dickey trade with the Mets. He spent four years in New York before the trade and is quite familiar with handling Dickeys knuckleball. "They played together and won a Cy Young together so thats all you need to know," Gibbons said. Dickey won the National League Cy Young Award in 2012 with the Mets after going 20-6 with a 2.73 earned-run average. He has been rather mediocre this season with a 5-7 record and a 4.66 ERA. Dickey said he didnt work with Thole at spring training but they plan to throw together in the bullpen on Saturday. "Having Josh come up -- who has a lot of experience with me -- it should be a pretty seamless transition," Dickey said. Thole also gives the Blue Jays a deeper offensive threat in the backup catcher position. He hit .322 in 41 games with the Bisons this season with seven homers and 31 RBIs. In 308 career big-league games, he has a .261 average with seven home runs and 87 RBIs. Blanco, 41, had a .184 average with three doubles in 15 games this season. He has played for 10 big-league teams over his 16-year career. Notes: Gibbons said there is no definitive timeline in place for Lawries return. The Langley, B.C., native has been wearing a walking boot after injuring his ankle on an awkward slide in a game May 27. Lawrie is on the 15-day disabled list. Pedro Martinez Jersey . -- Jaye Marie Green shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to increase her lead to five strokes after the second round of the LPGA Tours qualifying tournament. Steve Pearce Red Sox Jersey . Its sharpness matched my mind. This was no night to go to sleep. http://www.officialredsoxfanstore.com/authentic-roger-clemens-red-sox-jersey/ . Burris threw two TD passes, including a key 15-yard fourth-quarter strike to Bakari Grant that effectively countered a Toronto comeback bid and led Hamilton to a 33-19 victory. David Price Red Sox Jersey . Aduriz headed home Markel Susaetas cross in the sixth minute to open the scoring at San Mames Stadium. He bettered that with a long-range blast that went in off the goal frame in the 18th, and converted a penalty in the 72nd after Diego Mainz was sent off for fouling Aduriz with only the goalkeeper to beat. Bill Lee Red Sox Jersey . -- Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings was selected Monday to his second straight Pro Bowl, while guard Kyle Long made it after a solid rookie season. Leicester boss Richard Cockerill believes the Tigers have more quality across the board as they look to improve on last seasons semifinal appearances in domestic and European competitions.The Tigers launch their Aviva Premiership campaign at Gloucester on Friday, where a powerful Leicester line-up that includes England centre Manu Tuilagi and World Cup-winning South Africa international JP Pietersen, will look to put down an immediate marker.We have to improve our consistency and understand within the playing group and coaching its about winning, rugby director Cockerill said.Sometimes, on a wet and windy day, you have to play a style of rugby that wins you the game rather than trying to always out-play sides, which maybe at times we were guilty of.We have to improve our set-piece and our accuracy, but also that little bit of nous on how to win those close games.Overall, we were pretty happy [with last season], but you want to try to win something. We had two semifinals and two losses, which is disappointing, but I am pleased with how were progressing our game.We have strengthened our squad again -- less numbers and more quality, we think, across the board.Gloucester finished 17 points and four places behind Leicester last term, showing only a marginal improvement on the previous campaign, so consistency will be high on the agenda at Kingsholm.We know weve been very close, rugby director David Humphreys said. I think in six of the 10 Premiership games that we lost, we were leading after 70 minutes.But thats the nature of this league. It is so competitive, and in any match there can be very little between the two teams, so you always have to perform at your vvery best.ddddddddddddUnfortunately for us, we didnt do that, or have that level of consistency that the very good teams have.But we feel like weve made some good improvements over the last few months after a disappointing ending to last seasons league campaign, so we are looking forward to it.We are all of the view that weve underachieved over the last couple of seasons in Premiership rugby, so this is a big year for us.Newcastle and Sale Sharks are also in action on the Premierships opening night, with Sale parading six newcomers -- including half-backs AJ MacGinty and Mike Phillips -- at Kingston Park.The Falcons, meanwhile, hand a debut to former Leicester back Vereniki Goneva, and Newcastle rugby director Dean Richards said: Overall, within the squad, we have retained our core and everyone is working well together.Confidence is high -- we have a much better squad than last year, and everyone is vying for selection. There is competition all over the place, and we are chomping at the bit to get into the games.Sale beat us up here in the final game of last season, which really disappointed us.We have a bit of a point to prove because we felt we could, and should, have won that game.You can say Sale have lost people like Tommy Taylor and Danny Cipriani, but they have brought in good players like Rob Webber and AJ MacGinty.We know they are a strong side, they will come to play rugby and to take us on physically. We have a lot of respect for what they can offer, but at the same time the belief in our own ability to challenge them. ' ' '