DUNEDIN, Fla. – For the Toronto Blue Jays, the result was secondary on Sunday. The Blue Jays lost to the Tigers in their third game of Grapefruit League action, but more importantly, two of Toronto’s key players responded well to their first game action since last summer.
Here are some observations from the Blue Jays’ 6-3 loss to Detroit…
SANCHEZ RETURNS AT FULL STRENGTH
Aaron Sanchez felt physically strong in his first game action since July 19, and while his off-speed stuff wasn’t as effective as he hoped, he was encouraged to return at full strength.
“Good to be back, for sure,” Sanchez said. “Could be better obviously. I feel like I did a lot of good things out there. I probably could have had a clean inning if I just threw all fastballs, but I’ve got to go out there and work on what I need to work on.”
Sanchez, who had four DL stints last year due to blister and finger issues, pitched one inning and allowed two runs to score. He struck out two, mixing in occasional off-speed pitches along with a 95-96 mph fastball. One change-up he threw induced a strikeout—an encouraging sign for the 25-year-old.
“I think deception with the arm speed is what sells that pitch,” Sanchez said. “That’s what sells any off-speed pitch is it looking like a heater out of the hand and then breaking.”
Most importantly, his previously problematic finger didn’t pose any problems at all over the course of his 22-pitch outing.
“I’m so over finger questions,” he said. “My finger’s in a good spot. There were no issues today. I didn’t even hesitate to look at it once. Nothing off my fingers gave me discomfort. Everything I was trying to accomplish that way was good. Now, the competitor in me, I’m not happy with the (results). It’s finding a balance. I’ll take today with a grain of salt.”
TRAVIS: ‘JUST AWESOME’ TO BE BACK
In another encouraging development for the Blue Jays, Devon Travis picked up an opposite-field single and a walk in his first game action since June 4.
“It was fun,” Travis said. “It’s been a long time. I’m just happy I can get out there. It’s just awesome putting on a uniform, awesome putting on cleats and hearing my name called. It was good. Good first game.”
On defence, Travis had to test his range at times and was pleased with how his surgically-repaired right knee responded.
“I’ve done it in ground balls,” he said. “(But) it’s a little different when the game starts. It was a nice little test, and I’m glad I passed it.”
The Blue Jays expect to play Travis in roughly half of their spring games from here on. Based on how the 27-year-old felt Sunday, he’s ready for the regular work.
“I’m not afraid,” he said. “That’s the good thing. My knee feels good, so I don’t have to be tentative.”
QUALITY AT BAT
Josh Donaldson struck out looking in his first trip to the plate this spring, but in its own way the at bat was impressive. After falling behind in the count, Donaldson worked it full and fouled off pitch after pitch before Matt Boyd finally struck him out looking on the 14th pitch of the at bat.
CRAVING COMPETITION
J.A. Happ had the option of throwing live batting practice Sunday, but he wanted a game environment, so instead he started against the Tigers.
“We train all off-season and eventually we get a little cranky, because we need to get that competition going,” Happ said. “It’s finally here.”
The left-hander threw just one inning Sunday, part of the Blue Jays’ plan to build him up gradually to 85 or 90 pitches.
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