DUNEDIN — It became abundantly clear, after he admittedly was only “okay,” in Saturday’s spring training outing, that J.A. Happ wants some clarity into what his role will be with the Blue Jays once camp breaks.
Six days after unequivocally declaring himself “a Major League starting pitcher,” Happ said he plans to speak with Alex Anthopoulos about his situation, and that he will likely initiate the conversation with Toronto’s general manager.
“It seems like we’re kind of getting down to it a little bit,” said Happ, referring to spring training’s conclusion in two weeks. “So I don’t know. We’ll see.”
Happ threw 77 pitches Saturday, reaching his pitch count in 3 2/3 innings of work (was slated to go five), and gave up two earned runs on four hits, all doubles, which he said came predominantly on his off-speed pitches.
“Overall I felt good. I still felt strong, getting up to 75-plus there, so that was good,” said Happ. “The idea is next time I’ll get five or six innings, and try to get that pitch count a little more efficient.”
Happ has been more than that this spring, knowing the situation before reporting here to Dunedin. John Gibbons reminded reporters Saturday morning that both he and Anthopoulos “kind of (laid) out what we’re looking at, so they all know that,” to the pitchers.
Ricky Romero, Toronto’s fifth starter, has struggled this spring, but not he or Gibbons seem alarmed by it. Happ, who has a career 4.19 ERA in 590 innings, could make the team in the bullpen, and Anthopoulos told a Toronto newspaper there is “absolutely not” any scenario of Romero opening the season in Triple-A.
“I don’t expect (Happ) to be happy with it,” said Gibbons. “I expect, his focus (to be), ‘I’m gonna make the team as one of the starting five.’ I don’t want him to waver from that.
“He’s fine. One way or another, he’s gonna help us along the way.”
From his standpoint, Happ, following his six-strikeout effort on Saturday, says he doesn’t want to be a clubhouse distraction.
“I’m trying to keep the positivity going. And not trying to cause a big deal here,” he said. “It is what it is. That stuff will be handled in private, I hope.”
Romero is scheduled to pitch next in a minor league game on Thursday. When Happ may approach Anthopoulos for a conversation is unknown.
“He’s not a young punk that shows up and doesn’t know how the game works,” said Gibbons. “I keep saying over and over: He’s going to help us along the way. He’s good.”
