Jays being extra cautious with Stroman
DUNEDIN Marcus Stroman is progressing from his shoulder inflammation to the point he will start light throwing Thursday.
It’s an important step in Stroman’s recovery, but don’t expect a rush back to the rotation for the Toronto Blue Jays’ top starter of 2017.
The team plans to be cautious with the talented young pitcher, even if that means holding back the right-hander.
“He’s such a big part of this team and this rotation (that) being cautious is something necessary to do,” Jays bench coach DeMarlo Hale said. “Sometimes coaches, staff, the front office … we definitely have to manage the player. His competitive edge, we have to manage that. He’ll let us know when he’s ready, but we have to be smart, too.”
With Aaron Sanchez sidelined by a blister on his pitching hand for much of last season, Stroman emerged as a leader of the rotation with an ERA of 3.09 and pitching 201 innings. But early in spring training, Stroman was shut down with shoulder inflammation. The setback is considered minor, but given Stroman’s outspoken desire to excel, preventing him from rushing back won’t be an easy task.
“It was a little setback but he’s such a competitor, he’s going to do what it takes to put himself in position to help this team, for sure,” Hale said.
HAPP SHINES
Big Jays left-hander J.A. Happ continues to go about his work quietly and effectively.
Happ was solid in three innings Wednesday at Dunedin Stadium as the Jays romped over the Pirates, 13-4.
Making his second start of the spring, Happ threw 57 pitches, allowing just two hits.
Taking advantage of the short right field and a wind blowing sharply out, the Jays hit five home runs. Devon Travis, Russell Martin (his third of the spring), Roemen Fields, Curtis Granderson (also his third) and Dwight Smith Jr. all took Pirates pitchers deep.
On a split-squad day, the Jays improved their spring record to 5-8 when another group edged the Tigers 6-5 in Lakeland, Fla.
The victory was keyed in part thanks to a pair of RBIs from centre-fielder Kevin Pillar and a pair of hits by Dalton Pompey.