TORONTO — Talk of Brett Lawrie’s imminent arrival in the big-leagues cooled a bit Wednesday with the much hyped Toronto Blue Jays prospect’s status became day-to-day after being hit by a pitch on the left hand a night earlier.
Manager John Farrell said the team "dodged a little bit of a bullet" when X-rays taken Tuesday night revealed nothing more than a bruise from the offending mid-90s fastball thrown by Tucson’s Anthony Bass.
The incident came after all signs began pointing to the Blue Jays bringing up the Canadian third baseman from triple-A Las Vegas as early as Friday in Baltimore.
Those plans appear for the moment to be on hold with Lawrie’s hand still swollen and caution the first order of business.
"At this point he’s probably going to need a couple of days to let the swelling go down until he proves otherwise," said Farrell. "It could be a day. We’re also talking about a kid who’s shown us in a short period of time that he’s got a high pain threshold, but we’re going to make sure there are no issues with range of motion, no discomfort, before we get him back into the game in Las Vegas."
A frenzy of expectation was set off Tuesday when general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Lawrie’s arrival to the big-leagues was "close" and the only thing standing between him and a call up was "just a decision we need to make."
Then Lawrie was hit by Bass in the first inning, sending him to hospital for the precautionary X-rays that proved negative.
Whether or not Lawrie makes his debut Friday – one source suggested it was still possible – it’s clear his time is coming much sooner than later.
Anthopoulos said Tuesday that Lawrie has accomplished all the Blue Jays have asked of him, and Farrell echoed those sentiments Wednesday.
"He’s dominating triple-A," said Farrell. "It’s clear he’s taken to heart and applying some of the pitch recognition and the strike zone discipline that he’s showing. It’s been evident by the increased total of walks, and that’s not to be misconstrued that we’re looking for him to walk, it’s been a clear indication that he’s been not only a productive hitter, but one in which he’s not chased as many pitches out of the zone."
Anthopoulos said recently plate discipline was the final element of Lawrie’s game that needed to come together, and Farrell feels the adjustments made by the 21-year-old in May will only serve him well once he joins the Blue Jays.
"When he eventually gets here, there’s going to be more readiness to maybe attack a hitter’s weaknesses a bit more regularly," said Farrell. "He’s not only learning more about himself, but also showing that discipline in games."
As for when the time is right, Farrell said: "They tell you by their performance. As much as everyone wants to draw out a timeline and mark it on the calendar, the player tells you when he’s ready. And sometimes it might be sooner than the date you had anticipated."
The 51s certainly sound like a team preparing to say goodbye to Lawrie, posting a message of appreciation about him on their Facebook site.
"The 51s have an exceptional player…Brett Lawrie. We are reminded so everyday by the number of media requests our PR office receives to interview him. Better get out to Cashman to watch him while you can."
