Shoemaker feeling good as stellar spring continues
DUNEDIN, FLA Matt Shoemaker isn’t about to break with the accepted wisdom by reading too much into spring training results.
But after another stellar outing on Sunday, Shoemaker admits he’s feeling as good as he ever has in the month of March.
The right-handed starter, who is cruising back from season-ending knee surgery, tossed four scoreless, hitless innings as the Toronto Blue Jays romped past the Philadelphia Phillies 9-0 at TD Ballpark.
“At this point of the spring, I’m definitely where I want to be,” Shoemaker said after the Blue Jays improved to 7-6-2 in exhibition play. “There are still things I want to improve on, whether it’s timing or all the mechanical stuff. But that being said, I’m very happy.
“I feel good overall about my pitches, but I know I can be better. I feel better than I usually do at this point.”
With four strikeouts in his four-inning outing, Shoemaker has allowed just one hit and one walk in his 6.2 innings so far. Offensively there were a couple of notable performances starting with first baseman Travis Shaw, who hit his second home run in as many days.
Shaw, who is looking to recover his form at the plate from earlier in his career, started Grapefruit League play with an 0-for10 streak at the plate with eight strikeouts.
Since then he’s had a double and two homers, impressing manager Charlie Montoyo, who predicted Shaw is capable of hitting 30 home runs.
Shortstop Bo Bichette hit his second homer of the spring, an opposite field shot.
One of the more intriguing prospects in camp, stocky catcher Alejandro Kirk, did the same. The 21-year-old banged his round-tripper off the Westjet Flight Deck in deep centre field.
RYU TO THE RESCUE
Jays pitcher Hyun-jin Ryu has been closely following the coronavirus outbreak in Asia, and over the weekend, reached out to help with a US$100,000 donation to the Korea Disaster Relief Association.
“Obviously I’m very concerned,” Ryu said through interpreter Bryan Lee. “It’s not only just the Korean Peninsula but it’s spreading across the globe, including the United States. I hope we can come up with a solution. I thought I could help at least a little. It wasn’t a difficult decision to make.”
Meanwhile, during a team meeting on Sunday morning, the Jays were advised on precautions they can take to protect themselves and avoid spread of the disease.
“We have to inform the players about what’s going on, but nobody has talked about not signing autographs or anything like that,” Montoyo said.
COMING UP
The busy Grapefruit League schedule continues on Monday with Ryu getting the start for the Blue Jays in one half of a two-game split, facing the Tampa Rays at TD Ballpark.
In the other game, lefty Anthony Kay will look to get back on track when he travels to Bradenton to face the Pirates.