Gibbons to start off with Jays’ youngsters

YOU FEEL MUCH BETTER WHEN YOU’VE SEEN THE KID PLAY WELL (IN SPRING TRAINING) EVEN IF IT’S A DIFFERENT KIND OF SETTING DOWN HERE. — JOHN GIBBONS, TORONTO BLUE JAYS MANAGER

DUNEDIN • Don’t expect to see too many Toronto Blue Jays veterans playing in early spring training games this year.

Manager John Gibbons won’t play most of his veterans until a few games into the Grapefruit League season, though Marcus Stroman will get the start Monday at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium, the Jays’ home field, against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Third baseman Josh Donaldson is out two weeks with a right calf strain though he did do some long tossing on Friday.

“He’s moving better than I expected. He’s walking around,” said Gibbons. “And the trainer said he’s looking good, but they haven’t really said anything (else). I wouldn’t think you’d see him out there (training) for a couple of weeks anyway, but he’s progressing pretty good.”

Gibbons said he’ll bring the veterans on slowly in Grapefruit League action, adding that shortstop Troy Tulowitzki won’t play for a week or so. Catcher Russell Martin will catch against Philadelphia at home Sunday and will be joining Team Canada for the first round of the World Baseball Classic, basically as a cheerleader. Martin was hoping to play short for Canada in next month’s World Baseball Classic but was deprived of the chance because of insurance issues.

“But I did tell him I’ll try during the regular season to get him out there at short,” said Gibbons.

“We know these older guys and we know what they can do,” said Gibbons of the reasons for going youth-heavy early in the spring training schedule. “The veterans are basically just here to get in shape.”

The manager said he is anxious to see how the young players in camp perform in Grapefruit League play. “I’m a fan of (Richard) Urena. I thought he was the MVP of the camp last year,” Gibbons said of the 20-year-old shortstop who hit .295 with a .335 OBP splitting time between A and Double-A last season.’’

Gibbons also made specific mention of infielder Lourdes Gurriel. “We put a lot of money into him and we feel he’s got a chance to be a really good one.” The Jays signed the 23-year-old to a seven-year, $22-million contract on Nov. 12. Last year Gurriel was ranked as the sixth-best international prospect available.

“Guys like (RHP Chris) Smith could really play a big part sometime during the season,” said Gibbons. “(Young guys) approach (spring training games) a little different than those veteran guys. It always helps making a good first impression and that’s what they have a chance to do.”

The manager says even if a player doesn’t make the major league roster out of spring training, he can enhance his chances of being called up during the season.

“You feel much better when you’ve seen the kid play well (in spring training) even if it’s a different kind of setting down here,” said the manager.

With the big-money contracts in baseball today, the established regulars hardly ever lose their spot based on their play at spring training.

Gibbons said everyone’s anxious to actually play some games against an opposing team.

“We’ve been here a while. Everybody’s anxious. Especially the young guys, they’re trying to make a name for themselves.”

The Jays will play Team Canada Mar. 7 as part of the national team’s preparation for the WBC.

NATHAN DENETTE / THE CANADIAN PRESS Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons has a laugh at spring training in Dunedin, Fla., on Wednesday. Gibbons is holding off on playing his veterans in order to give younger players a look-see.