The Toronto Blue Jays aren’t expecting David Price to pitch in this weekend’s series with the Kansas City Royals.
Manager John Gibbons said Price is instead likely to debut with his new club Monday afternoon against the Minnesota Twins.
“I haven’t confirmed anything with Alex (Anthopoulos),” Gibbons told hosts Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker on Baseball Central on Sportsnet 590 The Fan. “I think it’ll probably be Monday. He didn’t throw his normal side (session) yesterday. He should be here sometime (Friday). It makes perfect sense. We haven’t officially said anything but we are leaning that way.”
The Blue Jays acquired Price in a blockbuster trade with the Detroit Tigers Thursday afternoon in exchange for three pitching prospects including Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd.
Initially, speculation was that Price would start on Sunday where the club had a gap in the starting rotation after designating Felix Doubront for assignment earlier in the week. However, instead it appears that R.A. Dickey will be pushed up a day in order to fit in Price.
Price was scheduled to arrive in Toronto for an introductory press conference at some point on Friday afternoon, but was delayed by a flat tire. The Blue Jays later announced that the press conference had been postponed.
In the mean time, the club placed second baseman Devon Travis on the disabled list to make room on the 25-man roster for Price.
Gibbons says he couldn’t be more excited about the addition of the all-star left-hander.
“Alex called me the night before,” Gibbons said of the Blue Jays’ pursuit of Price. “It was another late developer because they didn’t put him on the market until late and I said ‘go for it.’ He called me (Thursday) morning and said it was done. And I didn’t believe it.
“We’ve faced him many of times and he’s stuck it to us pretty good. He did that this year in Detroit. It’ll be nice to have him on our side.”
Price has a 7-0 record in nine career starts in Toronto.
