CHICAGO — For this Blue Jays rebuild to succeed, they’ll need the big things to go right. That probably means Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette produce at an all-star level. It definitely means finding more pitching.
At times, those big-picture concerns overshadow the games themselves, and understandably so. This team’s on pace to lose 97 games.
But at field level, the details matter as much as ever. Players and coaches aren’t worried about building the next great Blue Jays team, they want to win games. So when someone hustles for a double, reads a ball in the dirt or misses a sign his teammates and coaches know it.
In that context Javy Guerra’s three-inning relief appearance Friday deserves a closer look. A blister on Aaron Sanchez’s pitching hand forced manager Charlie Montoyo to ask his bullpen for six innings of work — never an easy ask. Sam Gaviglio provided three, at which point Guerra entered. He pitched one inning, then two.
After the second inning of work the 33-year-old told Montoyo he was good for a third even though he knew an extended outing would make him unavailable for the rest of the weekend and therefore an easy candidate to cut. He pitched the ninth, saving the Blue Jays’ bullpen. His reward? The Blue Jays designated him for assignment hours later.
“I just want to say what a classy guy this guy is,” Montoyo said afterwards. “When we put him on the mound he had a feeling it could be him but he went back for the third inning and took it for the team.”
Guerra has been quietly effective this year, posting a 3.86 ERA over 14 innings with 15 strikeouts compared to five walks. It’s possible another team will claim the right-hander, but if he remains in the Blue Jays organization he has earned himself a few supporters.
“I appreciate that. That’s a classy guy. That’s a professional right there,” Montoyo said. “Hopefully someone will pick you up, but if not we want you back here in the big-leagues. If he clears (waivers), good for us. If he doesn’t, good for him.”
A MATTER OF TIMING
Danny Jansen reached the major-leagues largely because he could hit, but he hasn’t lived up to his potential at the plate so far this year. Lately he’s been feeling better in the box, and on Friday he connected for his first homer of the season — a shot to straightaway centre at Guaranteed Rate Field.
“It’s just timing for me,” he said. “I just had to be on time. It took me a while to get to that point, but I’m making improvements.”
Even as Jansen struggled offensively, he earned plenty of praise from Blue Jays personnel for his work behind the plate. He has been working closely with major-league coach John Schneider since spring training, resulting in better framing and throwing.
“That’s been a really positive thing,” director of baseball operations Mike Murov said. “It’s something we believed in, probably more than some external people did, so it’s been validating to see in that way, for the defence to really play at the major-league level.”
ONE UP, ONE DOWN
Bo Bichette’s left hand fracture is healing well, according to the Blue Jays. He has been cleared for light activities and will begin a hitting progression next week.
Devon Travis, meanwhile, has had a setback. The 28-year-old experienced knee soreness during his activity progression, leading to a follow-up with a surgeon. While there was no structural damage, Travis got a PRP injection to help limit inflammation.
Once symptoms subside, he’ll re-start baseball activities. In the meantime, the Blue Jays will rely on Eric Sogard and Brandon Drury at second base.
[relatedlinks]
BETTER TO CHANGE AN OPINION THAN TO PERSIST IN A WRONG ONE
Socrates Brito hit .077/.163/.128 with 17 strikeouts in 39 at bats for the Blue Jays. To put it mildly, it was a rough debut.
But now that the other 29 teams have passed on Brito, the Blue Jays can keep him in the organization. He has hit at triple-A before and he can undeniably run and throw. Could there still be upside here?
“I’m personally very excited that he got through waivers to the Buffalo roster because, as with anyone at Buffalo who clears waivers, you hope that they’re back on the team soon,” Murov said. “Our hope is that he’ll impact us in the future at the major-league level.”
BASEBALL GENERATIONS
Ryan Feierabend’s just 33 years old, but he debuted in the major-leagues young enough to have played with the fathers of some current Blue Jays prospects.
“It’s kind of crazy,” he said. “Not only (Vladimir) Guerrero, but I played against Cavan Biggio’s dad and (Kacy) Clemens’ dad at one point or another. To have these guys here is great. They’re great ballplayers and hopefully it’s for a few more years.”
