57.29 Blazers Leave Aldo off Playoff Roster

[Bob Breum]

Montreal has set its playoff roster for the Geoghegan Round, but their highest paid player won't be on it. Lineu Aldo has yet to be cleared by the team's medical staff, as his mid-August high ankle sprain has not healed as quickly as they had projected. Also missing from the lineup card will be starting center fielder Bill Morley, who is done for the season after a late September injury that will require surgery for bone chips in his elbow. Between them, they accounted for 6.3 WAR this season, with contributions both in the field and in the batter's box. Morley is among the BBA's finest center fielders, and Aldo wields a plus glove at first base. Aldo hit .295 with 22 home runs and 34 stolen bases, and Morley hit .324 from the leadoff position with 12 stolen bases of his own.

Taking their places on the playoff roster will be first baseman Carlos Arroyo and center fielder John Oliver. Both are left-handed batters, and each will play as the strong side of a platoon at their respective positions. Each spent most of the season at AAA New Jersey; they were called up when rosters expanded. Arroyo started at first base and hit .304/.400/.411 in 65 plate appearances down the stretch. Oliver hit .214/.312/.571 in 32 plate appearances, primarily in a reserve role.