Rating Jays’ April highs and woes
There’s no getting around it: April was a bad month for the Blue Jays — nearly the worst start in club history at 8-17. The losses and injuries piled up. In the end, though, they won the final two games against the Rays for their first series victory, and headed out on a six-game road trip with reason to believe that May will turn out better. Here’s a look at the Jays’ notable performances in the opening month, for better or worse: The right-hander, leading the team in wins above replacement at 1.0, delivered a pair of complete games at a time when the bullpen was stretched to the limit, with two-fifths of the starting staff on the disabled list for most of the month. He was the first pitcher in the majors to go the distance twice this season, on the heels of an MVP performance at the World Baseball Classic. And let’s not forget Stroman’s pinch-hitting heroics in St. Louis, where he doubled — his first career hit — and came around to score the winning run. The defensively gifted centre fielder spent much of spring training talking about how committed he was to changing his approach at the plate, in an effort to become a more complete player. So far, Pillar has delivered on that promise, hitting .301 with an .844 on-base plus slugging mark. He leads the club in hits (31), doubles (seven), total bases (52) and extrabase hits (12). There were questions leading into the season about whether or not Smoak would get the job done as Toronto’s everyday first baseman. Defensively he could hack it, but how about offensively? So far, so good. Smoak is tied for the team lead in home runs with four, knocked in 12 runs and hiked his batting average to a solid .273. After all the off-season uncertainly while the right fielder tested free agency, Bautista re-signed and showed up looking fit as ever, with an even bigger chip on his shoulder. He struggled out of the gate, though, and it took a recent surge at the plate to get his batting average to .178, with — uncharacteristically — twice as many strikeouts as walks. First it was closer Roberto Osuna to the 10-day disabled list with a cervical spasm. Then reliever J.P. Howell went down with a left shoulder strain. Third baseman Josh Donaldson is still out (calf strain), as is starter J.A. Happ (left elbow inflammation). Aaron Sanchez (right middle finger blister) returned Sunday, then left bleeding after one inning. John Gibbons has had to be very creative in managing the pitching staff in particular. The utilityman — who signed a twoyear, $12.5-million deal in September — hasn’t struggled defensively in left field as some predicted he might following forearm surgery last fall. But the offensive production the Blue Jays expected hasn’t been there. Pearce went 9-for-54 (.167) with one run batted in and no extra-base hits. Only second baseman Devon Travis (.130) had a lower average among regulars. Given the injuries on the left side of the infield, Barney’s versatility has made him particularly valuable. He has logged19 games combined at second base, third and shortstop so far.