Sanchez to open the season in Blue Jays’ starting rotation
John Gibbons has settled on right-hander Aaron Sanchez being in the Toronto Blue Jays’ starting rotation.
Sanchez’s role — be it in the starting rotation or bullpen — was one of the most contentious issues in spring training for Toronto. But Gibbons settled the debate Monday.
“It’s exciting for us all,’’ Gibbons said of Sanchez, who beat out Gavin Floyd and Drew Hutchison for the starting job. “We think the sky is the limit for him.
“Who knows how good his career turns out? On one end of it, it’s exciting to tell him; and on the other side, it’s tough telling the other guys.’’
Sanchez, 23, has had a solid spring, posting a 1.35 earned-run average over 20 innings. But how long Sanchez remains in the starting rotation remains to be seen as Gibbons would only say Sanchez will open the season there, adding his workload will be monitored and he could return to the bullpen sometime during the year.
Sanchez started 11 games last season but did make 30 appearances as a reliever. He threw 92 1/3 innings during the regular season, then 7 1/3 innings in the playoffs.
Marcus Stroman will be Toronto’s opening-day starter Sunday at Tampa Bay.
With Sanchez earning a starting role, Floyd will pitch out of the bullpen while Hutchinson, last year’s opening day starter, was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo.
In other moves Monday, the Jays claimed catcher/first baseman Jesus Montero from the Seattle Mariners. To clear a roster spot, Toronto designated catcher A.J. Jimenez for assignment.
Montero, 26 appeared in 38 games with Seattle last season, hitting .223 with five home runs and 19 runs-batted in. On Sunday, Hutchison escaped injury in Toronto’s 7-3 exhibition win over Tampa Bay. He was struck in the back of the head by Jimenez’s throw to second base on an attempted stolen base. Hutchison left the game as a precaution but told reporters afterwards he was fine. He allowed a run and one hit over fourplus innings.