Blue Jays reliever Erik Swanson has just lately been coping with a scary state of affairs, because it was announced last week that his son Toby was struck by a automotive and needed to be airlifted to hospital. Fortunately, it appears issues have progressed nicely since then. Swanson spoke with members of the media at present, together with Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, passing alongside the excellent news. “I stand right here, very fortunately, telling you that within the subsequent day or two, he ought to in all probability be going dwelling.”
Toby’s well being is clearly extra necessary than baseball, however it sounds as if Swanson might be able to begin turning his attentions again to his upcoming season. Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet relays that Swanson threw about 20 pitches at present on the membership’s advanced and is on monitor to be prepared for Opening Day, although he might throw one other aspect session earlier than entering into an organized recreation. Swanson made 69 appearances for the Jays final yr, incomes 4 saves and 29 holds whereas posting a 2.97 ERA.
Turning to the Toronto rotation, a couple of query marks have popped up right here in camp as each Kevin Gausman and Alek Manoah have been slowed by some shoulder soreness. The depth was additionally a little bit of a priority, as Yariel Rodríguez was coping with some again spasms whereas prospect Ricky Tiedemann was battling irritation in his calf and hamstring.
As of at present, three of these 4 seem like progressing in a optimistic course, with Manoah being the exception. Per Matheson, Manoah’s shoulder remains to be sore and he wasn’t capable of throw at present’s scheduled bullpen session. His current MRI didn’t present any structural harm however the delays from the continued discomfort are beginning to put his readiness for the beginning of the season in query.
Elsewhere, the information is extra optimistic. Per Nicholson-Smith, the Jays are hopeful that Gausman will be throwing off a mound by Monday and begin build up for the season. Tiedemann shall be beginning Saturday’s recreation, per Matheson, which might permit him to be nearly totally constructed up by Opening Day. As for Rodríguez, Francys Romero relays that he’s feeling higher and can throw reside BP tomorrow, with recreation motion to comply with if all goes nicely.
The Jays determine to open the season with José Berríos, Chris Bassitt and Yusei Kikuchi in three rotation spots. Gausman and Manoah would be part of them in the event that they have been wholesome however it sounds as if that’s unlikely to be the case with Manoah and not less than considerably unsure with Gausman. Each Bowden Francis and Mitch White are getting stretched out in spring and will step right into a rotation spot to begin the yr. If just one is required, White is out of choices however Francis nonetheless has one possibility yr remaining. That might give White a leg up however he might additionally discover himself within the bullpen as a protracted reliever if Francis takes the job.
Rodríguez and Tiedemann shall be battling Francis and White for innings as nicely however they could be held again by their spring delays and normal workload considerations. Rodríguez had been working as a reliever in Japan and didn’t pitch in any respect in 2023 after the World Baseball Traditional as he waited to be launched from his NPB contract. Tiedemann handled numerous accidents final yr and solely tossed 47 innings within the minors, adopted by 18 extra within the Arizona Fall League. The Jays would doubtless favor to be cautious with each of them versus dashing them right into a season-opening huge league jobs.
Elsewhere on Toronto’s roster, the Jays are going through an fascinating choice with infielder Ernie Clement, as specified by a column from Nicholson-Smith. Clement has lengthy been thought of a glove-first participant however appeared to take a step ahead offensively final yr. He hit .380/.385/.500 in his 52 huge league plate appearances and .348/.401/.544 in Triple-A.
He doubtless gained’t be capable to maintain the .391 batting common on balls in play he ran within the majors final yr and even the .338 mark he had in Triple-A, as main league common was .297 in 2023. However he clearly has a knack for placing the bat on the ball as he infrequently strikes out. He was punched out simply 7.7% of the time within the huge leagues final yr and simply 5% of the time in Triple-A.
Even satisfactory offense could make him a strong bench piece, since he’s thought of a high quality defender at a number of positions, having lined up in any respect 4 infield spots and the outfield corners in his profession. However he’s now out of choices and may’t be despatched down. The Jays will want not less than one bench spot for a catcher after which might have others for guys like Davis Schneider, Daniel Vogelbach, Spencer Horwitz, Nathan Lukes or Santiago Espinal.
Nicholson-Smith speaks to a scout from a rival membership who suggests Clement would doubtless draw curiosity if the Jays tried to move him by way of waivers however that he is perhaps saved round as a backup to shortstop Bo Bichette.
