Oh, Happ-y day: Lefty poised for opener
ROB LONGLEY
J.A. Happ is ready for the opening of the 2018 season.
Soon we’ll find out if the Toronto Blue Jays manager is going to hand the veteran lefty the ball for the season opener against the visiting New York Yankees.
All signs point to Happ being that starter after he pitched six innings in the Jays’ 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. Toronto’s spring record sits at 12-11.
Happ reached 84 pitches and struck out five in his final major spring training tune-up.
“I feel good about it,” Happ said. “I was trying to get right to 85 and got through six up-and-downs. I’m just trying to get through the execution as best I can. Today was another really good step, good progress.”
Manager John Gibbons said he won’t announce the opening day assignment until he speaks with all five of his starters, but he likes what he has seen from the 2016 20game winner.
“He’s just a reliable guy,” Gibbons said. “Usually, nine times out of 10, he’s going to give you a chance to win.
“He’s really turned into a big workhorse for us. He’s one of the guys you look forward to the days he’s pitching.”
As a 10-year veteran, Happ is comfortable.
“I feel fortunate to have been here for a few years and have a spot so you can kind of build at your own pace and worry a little less about the results, just focus on building yourself up and feeling good about that first start of the year,” Happ said.
An outage in the outfield: The revamped Jays outfield continues to be operating at two-thirds capacity as March 29 — opening day — draws near.
Right-fielder Randal Grichuk hasn’t played since March 9 as he continues to nurse a rib injury. Grichuk, who was acquired from St. Louis in the off-season, hit in the batting cage on Sunday.
“The season’s not too far off, so we have to be smart about it,” Gibbons said. “Swinging the bat is the big issue. He’s going to start swinging the bat a little bit, do some light stuff in the cage.”
Stro has his say: Gibbons on Marcus Stroman’s declaration that Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette are ready for the majors: “Did he talk to (Josh) Donaldson and those guys about that yet?”