Hutchison presses case for Jays’ starting job
He’s throwing 95 m. p. h. heat at spring training, impressing teammates and team brass
DUNEDIN, Fla. — John Gibbons asked for strike- throwers and Drew Hutchison obliged Friday.
The 23- year- old right- hander, continuing to make a strong case to become Toronto’s fourth starter, threw 4 2/ 3 strong innings in the Blue Jays 3- 1 exhibition loss to the Boston Red Sox.
Hutchison, who was tagged with the loss, gave up one run on four hits with seven strikeouts and no walks. He retired the first eight Red Sox he faced and threw 71 pitches with 51 strikes.
“An outstanding outing,” said Jays catcher Dioner Navarro.
“A great performance,” echoed Gibbons, who nevertheless was coy on what might lie ahead for Hutchison.
Hutchison returned from Tommy John surgery last fall, pitching in the Arizona Fall League. He seems to be on top of his game.
Hutchison showed his mettle in the fourth inning Friday, striking out Mike Napoli to end the inning after a lengthy at- bat that saw the Red Sox hitter foul off a number of pitches. The Jays pitcher hit 95 miles per hour during the confrontation.
This spring Hutchison has given up three runs and seven hits in 9 2/ 3 innings while striking out 16 and walking one. Opposing batters are hitting just .200 against him.
Hutchison made 11 starts for the Jays in 2012 ( going 5- 3 with a 4.60 ERA) before injuring his arm while warming up in the bullpen for a game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Throwing strikes is his modus operandi. “That’s what he does. He was good when he was here the first time before he got hurt,” said Gibbons. “That’s how he pitches. The key is just being healthy.”
The same can be said for J. A. Happ, another would- be starter who returned Friday from an ailing back.
The six- foot- six left- hander pronounced himself happy with a three- inning performance in a minor- league game. He gave up one hit, walked one and struck out two.
“It was good. Exciting,” said Happ. “I felt normal out there which is really nice.”
A gaggle of pitchers is trying to join R. A. Dickey, Mark Buehrle and Brandon Morrow in the Jays’ rotation.
Barring a trade, Nos. 4 and 5 will come from Hutchison, Happ, Ricky Romero, Esmil Rogers, Todd Redmond, Kyle Drabek, Marcus Stroman and Sean Nolin.
Of the three main contenders, Hutchison appears to have pitched his way into the rotation.
Romero is turning heads with his improved performance this spring. But Happ has had an uneasy pre- season. In two starts, he has given up six runs in just 1 1/ 3 innings. The back issue has further muddied the waters.
Gibbons, who had yet to speak to Happ following the minor- league outing, said the major issue was making sure Happ’s back was healthy. Happ said the back was fine.
The lines of communication within the Jays on Happ seem a little blurry in general. The pitcher seemed unhappy with GM Alex Anthopoulos’ answer late last week on whether there were one or two spots open in the starting rotation.
Happ has campaigned to be a starter since arriving here via trade and the issue appears to have left a chip on his shoulder.