Thornton battling for Blue Jays’ fifth starter’s job
The torrential rains that pelted TD Ballpark on Wednesday came less than an hour too late for Jays starter Trent Thornton.
In his second outing of the spring, the right-hander, who is bidding for the fifth starter’s job in the Jays rotation, was knocked around in the second inning, allowing a two-run homer to the Tigers’ Austin Romine.
The Tigers had built a 3-1 lead before the skies opened and the game was postponed. Thornton allowed the two runs after throwing 19 pitches.
In his first outing this past weekend against the Yankees, Thornton allowed just one walk in his two innings of work. The lone Toronto run came from on a wind-assisted RBI triple from infield candidate Joe Panik.
Next up is the much-anticipated Blue Jays debut of ace Hyun-jin Ryu for Thursday’s home date against the Twins. Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said the big South Korean will be on a pitch count between 45-50, but won’t go deeper than two innings.
AROUND THE DIAMOND
“It’s player development, and that’s how it goes,” Montoyo said about stud starter Nate Pearson not starting the season with the Jays.
“He’s got to deal in triple A first. But I’m really happy because he’s part of our future, and for us to become a winning team and be one of the best teams in baseball, you need arms like that. And if he can be that guy, now you’re talking Ryu, him and it keeps adding because the best teams in baseball have two, three, four good starters.” ... Montoyo on shortstop Bo Bichette’s desire to play all 162 games: “Cal Ripken’s fine. Nobody’s going to break his record. But Bo could play 162.” ... Rowdy Tellez entered Wednesday’s game with six RBI, the most in Grapefruit League play thus far. His work at the plate is being heard. “Rowdy sent me a message with the off-season that he had,” Montoyo said. “He looks great.”