Blue Jays’ chances are up in arms
Rotation injuries part of ’17 disaster
High on the baseball checklist of necessities for the Toronto Blue Jays to return to playoff contention in 2018 is the promising starting rotation.
Specifically, if the four-man group, plus newcomer Jaime Garcia, returns to the health and success it enjoyed in 2016, manager John Gibbons’ team has a far more reasonable chance to challenge for an American League wild card spot than it did last year.
In terms of potential and good health, it might not be that much of a stretch.
“There’s no saying why we can’t,” said Aaron Sanchez, who had an AL-best ERA of 3.00 in 2016 before being plagued by blister issues in what essentially was a writeoff 2017 season.
“We’ve shown what we are able to do. It’s written. It’s been done.
“Last year, we … weren’t able to stay on the field, and you saw what happened.”
What happened was the team was in last place in the AL East for all but one day of the season — the last day, when the Baltimore Orioles slipped behind the Jays.
The good news is that all four returning members of the rotation appear to be healthy and cruising through a productive spring.
The only issue is Marcus Stroman, who was temporarily shut down because of shoulder inflammation.
“I don’t think it’s a stretch at all,” Jays general manager Ross Atkins said when asked if the rotation can lead his team back to respectability.
“If you have the Aaron Sanchez of 2016 and the Marcus Stroman of 2017, it could be even better. That would be an incredible outcome and something that I could see happening.””
Veterans J.A. Happ and Marco Estrada believe they have had productive outings thus far as they build a foundation for the season, while Garcia feels he’s on track after a solid three innings of work on Saturday.
“I do like what I see,” said Estrada, who signed a one-year deal with the Jays last fall.
“I’ve always liked the guys that we’ve had. We’ve had a really good rotation since I’ve been here. We all kind of feed off each other.” Pirates bash Biagini: One bad Joe Biagini start is not a concern to Gibbons. Biagini lasted just 12/3 innings, allowing all five runs scored by Pittsburgh in the Pirates’ 5-0 win over Toronto on Sunday.
The right-hander walked two, struck out two and gave up four hits, including consecutive homers to Adam Frazier and Gregory Polanco that ended his day.
“He had trouble locating the ball,” Gibbons said.
“He was off.”
Biagini was touched for four earned runs over 81/3 innings in three previous starts.
Four of the 11 batters Biagini faced had full counts.
“A couple of things today, I didn’t feel like were exactly what I wanted to see,” Biagini said.
The Jays haven’t ruled out Stroman being back to pitch during the first time through the regular season rotation.
Pompey hurt: Jays outfielder Dalton Pompey, from Mississauga, Ont., was scratched with a sore right wrist and will be evaluated Monday.