Jays get Sanchez back, Happ on track
Rotation’s return to health gives coach Walker hope after many April showers
A depleted starting staff and struggling bullpen have been areas of concern throughout a rough first month of the season for the Blue Jays. Pitching coach Pete Walker sees better days on the horizon. Here’s why:
Aaron Sanchez, the 24-year-old right-hander who hasn’t pitched since April 14 because of a blister on his right middle finger, is Sunday’s schedule starter in the series finale against the Rays, with Matt Dermody sent to Triple-A.
The American League’s reigning ERA champion had a piece of his fingernail removed to help solve the problem.
After two side sessions this past week, the Jays say he’s ready to go and won’t have to lay off his curveball — the pitch that aggravated the finger the most — but will work with a pitch count.
“We’re certainly going to be cautious with him,” Walker said. “He hasn’t been in a game in a little bit, obviously a number of days. We’ll watch him closely, monitor him and we’ll make a decision when the time comes during the course of the game. We don’t expect him to throw 110 pitches.”
Starter J.A. Happ, a 20-game winner in 2016, made some progress Saturday. The lefty went on the disabled list a day after Sanchez with soreness in his left elbow. A throwing session on Thursday didn’t go well, so he focused on strengthening the joint, then made 30 to 40 throws from about 75 feet on Saturday without incident. Walker hopes to amp things up over the next few days.
“He’ll play catch again (Sunday) and we’ll reevaluate again, but today was a real good day. Hopefully tomorrow we continue that trend and hopefully get him moving.”
Mat Latos is expected to keep his spot in the starting rotation until Happ is good to go.
Jason Grilli, charged with his third loss and first blown save on Friday night, has struggled on and off in 10 outings this year.
“He’s reaching back for a little bit extra at times, so I think he’s getting out of his delivery and not locating like he has in the past,” Walker said.
The coach says he’s pleased with Grilli’s fastball, but the 40-year-old is trying to rediscover a feel for his breaking ball and slider. That can be tough between outings, when manager John Gibbons prefers to have Grilli rest, but Walker is trying to get him regular work.
“He likes to work a lot, so when he goes three or four days without throwing it can be an issue with him. We want to give him regular work as best we can and take advantage of the time on the side.
“We still have all the confidence in the world in him and feel he’s still going to contribute and be a big part of that bullpen.”