The roster is slowly taking shape as the Toronto Blue Jays are almost ready to fly north for the sum
As the Blue Jays assembled on St. Patrick's Day 2011, they had played 18 Grapefruit League games so far this spring, sitting right at .500, nine up, nine down. There have been some noteworthy performances to date: Rajai Davis with three home runs after hitting just five in 143 games last season with the Athletics and the emergence of young Eric Thames tied for the club lead with eight RBI. Travis Snider leading the regulars with a .478 average despite missing the start of camp with a rib cage muscle injury as well as Jo-Jo Reyes pitching his way into rotation consideration.
But there have also been some concerns, mostly involving injuries. With just 13 games remaining on the exhibition schedule, second baseman Aaron Hill has yet to appear in an 'A' game due to a nagging right quadriceps muscle. He finally appeared in an intra-squad game on Wednesday but the clock is ticking on him being ready for Opening Night on April 1st at the Rogers Centre.
Injuries have also caused the Jays to shut down potential closers Frank Francisco (shoulder) and Octavio Dotel (hamstring) for the short-term.
Eyebrows were raised on Rogers Sportsnet's telecast last Sunday when No. 1 starter Ricky Romero came down with a sore middle finger on his pitching hand and the Jays were forced to scratch him from his Thursday assignment.
And finally, Scott Podsednik, expected to compete for one of the spots on the bench, has only appeared in one game before his case of plantar fasciitis flared up for a second time and his left foot had to be placed in a cast. Of those injuries, only Podsednik's appears to be long-term and has seriously hurt his chances of making the Blue Jays.
With the final 25-man roster to start the season still a work in progress, it has allowed several other players and pitchers to move up on the depth chart.
David Cooper
Chosen 17th overall in the 2008 draft, Cooper's minor-league career seemingly hit a plateau over the last two seasons spent with New Hampshire (AA). This spring he has been given a good, long look, appearing to date in a team-high 17 games with some success (.393 AVG, .938 OPS) and is ticketed to start the season at Triple-A. This gives the team a fallback option should Adam Lind and/or Edwin Encarnacion falter at first base. After not being mentioned among the franchise's top prospects, Cooper has also shown to be a capable defender this spring.
Lawrie has been front and centre all spring long, getting regular work as he makes the transition from second to third base. Manager John Farrell has raved since the start of camp about Lawrie's hustle and intensity. He has certainly shown enough to date break camp with the team, but his long-term development is being debated by the decision makers on a daily basis. But management are also deciding what is best and most comfortable for Jose Bautista, coming off his Major League-leading 54 home-run season in 2010. If third is where Bautista is most comfortable then Lawrie will start the season in Las Vegas. But if a return to right field makes the most sense for Bautista and the franchise then Lawrie will be introduced to the Rogers Centre crowd on Opening Night as the third baseman.
It's been an up-and-down spring for the Blue Jays anointed everyday catcher. Having done about all he could at Triple-A, Arencibia has concentrated on his pitch calling and defensive side of the game with mixed results so far this spring. His big problem, right now, is at the plate where in 13 games Arencibia's hitting just .114 (4 for 35) with only one double, one RBI and 11 strikeouts. Arencibia is still the No. 1 catcher, but unless his performance starts picking up the final two weeks expect Jose Molina to play more than just once a week, which was the original plan, once the regular season begins. Word has it that Molina will begin the season as Kyle Drabek's personal catcher, much like he did in 2010 when Molina caught Brandon Morrow in 20 of his 27 starts. While the decision-makers are saying all the proper things about J.P. publicly, there have to be some concern over Arencibia behind closed doors.
With Kyle Drabek solidifying his spot in the rotation despite missing a start due to a stiff neck, it appears to be down to Litsch and Jo-Jo Reyes for the final starting spot. Farrell and pitching coach Bruce Walton have been impressed with Reyes, acquired last June from the Braves in the Alex Gonzalez for Yunel Escobar trade, since the lefty arrived in camp. Litsch has been solid, save for the nine hits allowed in 3.1 innings on Tuesday vs. the Phillies, and appears to have recovered from the arm and hip injuries that limited him to just 11 starts over the last two seasons. Reyes has allowed just three base runners in three appearances this spring over eight innings. What ultimately may help Reyes is the fact that he is out of options and would have to be cleared waivers to be sent to Triple-A while Litsch does have options. Based solely on performance, Reyes seems to have a slight edge to date.
