Demotion was ‘not easy’ for Leone
There’s one aspect of his job that Blue Jays manager John Gibbons does not enjoy. And that’s telling a player that he’s being sent down to the minors. What makes that even more difficult is when said player has played well in the big leagues.
That was the case with RHP Dominic Leone. With LHP J. A. Happ reinstated from the DL on Tuesday, the Jays had to send someone down to Triple-A Buffalo. And that someone was Leone, who in 24.2 innings this season with Toronto recorded an ERA of 4.01 this season and gave the Jays some solid innings out of the bullpen. In fact, along with Ryan Tepera and Danny Barnes, Leone stepped in big time in the pen after Joe Biagini was pressed into emergency service as a starter. At times this season, the Jays were without three of their regular starters, all lost to injury. So Biagini, who was solid as a rookie out of the pen last year, was stretched out and there was a big question mark as to which reliever — or relievers — would hold down the fort until it was time to go to the closer Roberto Osuna in the ninth inning.
“I was worried about that, taking ( Biagini) out of the bullpen,” admitted Gibbons. “But those other guys ( Tepera, Barnes, Leone) came through big time you know. Because really Joe, I mean, shoot, he was one of our most valuable guys down there ( last year), one of the most versatile you know because he could throw more than one inning. I was a little worried about that.”
Leone, who was claimed off waivers on Nov. 18, 2016, and recalled on April 2, was not thrilled to be sent down, but Gibbons said he took the news like a pro.
“I don’t think it will last long, but he’s got the old options,” said Gibbons. “But, yeah, he’s been good.
“He took it better than a lot of guys probably would have you know,” the manager added. “But he understands. He likes pitching here and he got his opportunity to get back ( to the majors) here, but still it’s not easy. But he took it very well.”
Gibbons was asked if he can recall what players he’s sent down in the past who didn’t take it so good.
“Give me some time to think about it,” he said. “I can come up with a few, I guarantee.”
AROUND THE DIAMOND
Gibbons was asked if third baseman Josh Donaldson and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who both returned from the DL this week, would be sat down for Wednesday afternoon’s game against the Cincinnati Reds after a night game on Tuesday,
“Wait until ( Wednesday),” said the manager. “You trying to kill attendance?” It’s likely that Donaldson and Tulowitzki won’t start in the series closer on Wednesday ... With Happ pitching Tuesday night and LHP Francisco Liriano scheduled to pitch on Friday at Rogers Centre, that leaves RHP Aaron Sanchez ( right middle finger) as the only regular starter still on the DL. Gibbons would not give a time line on Sanchez, only that they’re going to do his rehab “right this time” ... After a rough go at times this season, RHP Jason Grilli has bounced back. Over his last five games, opposing batters are hitting .176 ( 3- for- 17) with five strikeouts ( heading into Tuesday’s game). “The plan was to get Grilli going and I still wanted him pitching some important innings,” said Gibbons. “I do think he looks better. I think his velocity is coming back a little bit. I think his slider’s better. That’s what was worrying me a little bit, the slider. It started to roll a little bit or getting the big sweeping one. And that’s the always been the pitch he would go to when behind the count, he can drop that in at will, a good one. But he looks a lot better” ... Gibbons said utility man Steve Pearce (right calf strain) is feeling better but is probably at least two weeks away from getting back into the lineup. Pearce is in Dunedin rehabbing ... The manager said IF Chris Coghlan is also feeling better after missing Monday’s game against the Reds with back spasms. Ezequiel Carrera was put in at the last minute and matched his career mark with four hits in the Jays’ 17-2 victory over Cincinnati. He also walked, reaching base five times for the first time in his career. “I told you (Monday) night that we were just trying to motivate Carrera (with the Coghlan scratch),” said Gibbons with a laugh. “And it worked.”
THE BIG FOUR
In the 17-2 win on Monday, the Jays became the fourth team to bat .500 in a game this season, joining Detroit, Washington and Texas. Each of the four teams batted exactly . 500. No team has topped the .500 mark in a game since the start of last season.