TORONTO – Derek Jeter says his post-retirement plan is to relax and the Toronto Blue Jays’ farewell gift of a trip to Banff, Alta., presented Sunday afternoon should certainly help that along.
Jose Bautista and Mark Buehrle handled the honours in a pre-game ceremony honouring the New York Yankees shortstop who is ending a brilliant career at the end of the season.
Along with the three-day trip to Banff – which includes a stay in the Royal Suite and private lessons in skiing, golf, cooking and mixology – the Blue Jays also made a $10,000 donation to Jeter’s foundation, Turn2.
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MORROW CLOSE: Brandon Morrow hit 97 mph during a scoreless inning of rehab work for triple-A Buffalo and will pitch again for the Bisons on Monday before a decision on him is made.
How the Bisons fare may factor into when he returns as they entered Sunday with an outside chance of claiming an International League wild card. If they advance, and the Blue Jays feel Morrow could use the extra work, he may get another game with Buffalo.
Otherwise, he could join the Blue Jays in Tampa as early as Tuesday with rosters expanding up to 40 men in September.
Morrow, a starter throughout his time with the Blue Jays, will be used exclusively as a reliever since there isn’t enough time to build him back up for the rotation.
The Blue Jays hold a $10 million option on him for next season, one they seem likely to decline at this point.
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ROSTER REINFORCEMENTS: The Blue Jays plan to add several players once rosters expand in September and while some candidates like Anthony Gose, Ryan Goins and Dan Johnson are obvious, there may be a surprise or two, as well.
Highly regarded prospect Daniel Norris, who has shot through the Blue Jays system this year, is receiving strong consideration for a promotion, as is Kendall Graveman, an eighth-round pick last season who has pitched at four levels this year while posting a 1.83 ERA in 167.1 innings.
Graveman’s background as a college pitcher and development of a cutter this year have some in the organization believing he’s ready to help right now.
Left-hander Sean Nolin is another strong candidate in the mix after posting a 3.50 ERA in 17 starts for Buffalo with a 1.25 WHIP and 7.6 strikeouts per nine.
He could make a spot start or be used in the bullpen, and there are those who want to see him back so he can simply wash away the experience of his rough big-league debut against Baltimore last year.