Blue Jays’ Borucki looks like a keeper

ATLANTA• The opportunity for Ryan Borucki was created by a parade of Blue Jays starting pitchers headed to the disabled list.

But good luck getting rid of him now.

The 24-year-old lefthander has been so impressive through the first three starts of his big-league career that it will be difficult to demote him to triple-A if the rotation’s health improves.

Of course, with Aaron Sanchez, Marco Estrada and Jaime Garcia are all currently sidelined, Borucki is needed right now anyway.

So far, the rookie southpaw from Illinois is earning his keep and then some.

“He’s a guy that you know once he gets here, he’s probably not going to want to let it go,” Jays pitching coach Pete Walker said. “He’s driven to be a successful pitcher. That’s where his mind is and certainly his stuff backs it up.”

Borucki has already logged 16 strikeouts in his first three starts and he has thrown sixplus innings each outing, while allowing two earned runs or less in each.

“His stuff is very good, don’t get me wrong, but he works fast,” Walker said. “He’s the aggressor on the mound, which I love, and he can change speeds.

“When you are left-handed and you can locate your fastball with movement and keep hitters off balance, you can be effective in this league. He’s certainly shown that in his three starts.”

None of those assignments have been easy, either. Already, Borucki has faced the World Series-champion Astros and the contending New York Yankees. Up next is a Friday start in Boston against the Red Sox, who have the best record in the majors.

And full credit to Borucki for making the best of his chances.

“Borucki is one of our prized young guys, but that’s how you make it in this game,” Jays manager John Gibbons said. “Somebody gets hurt and they get a long look and take advantage of the situation.”

The good news is both Sanchez and Estrada threw before Wednesday’s game at Sun Trust Park. The less than stellar side of that development is there is no imminent return to the rotation.

Sanchez (finger) long-tossed for a third consecutive day, but according to Walker “is not quite where he needs to be yet. He’s definitely trending in the right direction. It’s just been slow.”

Estrada (hip) hasn’t been placed on the DL, but it’s unlikely he’ll be ready for his next scheduled start on Saturday.

“He feels good and feels better every time he throws the ball,” Walker said of Estrada. “Saturday is questionable. We’ll see how he bounces back the next couple of days.”