Right-hander Thomas Hatch made a worrying exit from today’s Spring Training outing, as Hatch immediately signaled for the trainer after throwing a fastball to Aaron Judge. The Blue Jays’ official Twitter feed reported that Hatch left the game due to “right elbow/forearm discomfort.”
Acquired from the Cubs in a deadline trade for David Phelps in 2019, Hatch posted a 2.73 ERA over his first 26 1/3 Major League innings, though advanced metrics weren’t too keen on his performance. Hatch worked almost exclusively out of the bullpen last season, and for 2021 was being viewed by the Jays as a possible reliever or depth starter, or perhaps a bit of both in a swingman or long-relief gig. Unfortunately, those plans may now be up in the air given Hatch’s injury — while more will be known once Hatch is examined by trainers and doctors, it certainly looked like a potential long-term problem for the 26-year-old. [UPDATE: Hatch will undergo an MRI, Scott Mitchell of TSN tweets.]
More from Toronto…
- A possible absence for Hatch adds another layer to an already-tricky set of forthcoming roster decisions for the Jays, as Nate Pearson is also looking at a season-opening IL stint due to a setback in his recovery from a groin strain. Sportsnet.ca’s Shi Davidi looks at some of the Jays’ possible options in shaping their roster, and at least one 40-man move will be necessary since Francisco Liriano is looking like a solid bet to make the team. Liriano signed a minor league deal in February that will pay him $1.5MM in guaranteed salary if he makes the MLB roster, and a good Spring Training performance has the veteran in line to win a spot as left-handed depth in Toronto’s bullpen.
- Both Liriano and Joe Panik have March 25 opt-out dates in their minors contracts if they aren’t added to the big league team, while Tommy Milone’s opt-out is on March 27 and A.J. Cole’s opt-out isn’t until May 15. In terms of out-of-options players, Reese McGuire and Breyvic Valera can’t be sent to the minors without first clearing waivers, which could give them some advantage in making the team. “The Blue Jays would ideally love to stash a few of their minor-league contracts on the taxi squad, with the carrot of a quick call up if needed,” Davidi writes.
- The Jays announced yesterday that they had exercised their club option on Charlie Montoyo for the 2022 season, giving the manager an additional guaranteed year on his contract. In terms of a longer-term extension, Montoyo told told Mitchell and other reporters that such negotiations had yet to take. Entering his third season as Toronto’s manager, Montoyo led the young Jays to a 32-28 record and a spot in the expanded 2020 postseason last year, and now more is expected of a team that made some big offseason investments.
The velocity decline, the instant grimace… hope he’s alright.
Unfortunately both of those signs usually mean TJ surgery
That was the intention of the comment, but yes, you’re correct.
Ahhhh Liriano, remember when he was good?
Hell, even when he wasn’t good the Jays got gifted Teoscar Hernandez for a month of 5+ ERA Liriano. What an absolute steal!
The jays got Lariano, McGuire and Harold Ramirez for Rhp Drew Hutchinson. That trade tree is a steal, Lariano while he was still good, McGuire a Back-up catcher with a small chance to be a solid regular. Harold had good speed and a good bat in the minors bit a knee injury left him to a corner.
Lariano was then flipped for Nori Aoki and Hernandez. Hernandez’ floor is a 25 Hr bat with 20+ steal potential
I ‘member
Not a good sign. Although with Hatch destined for AAA to be a starter let’s hope this off time allows him to be ready come May. Hoping for the best here.
Panik can opt out. He shouldn’t make the team over Espinal.
What exactly does “carrot of a quick call up” mean?
It means they’re gonna tease the players all season with the sliver of a chance they could be called up. Montoyo will prob say something like “who wants a call up? If you’re a good boy and don’t opt out, you might get a call up.”
Ahh okay, thanks brother!
Anyone following the Jays know how Joe Panik is faring in camp? He was one of my favorite Giants and I hope he breaks camp with the Jays!
Panik isn’t doing anything to stand out. The problem is there is a better defensive option at utility and that’s Espinal. I think he could catch on as a backup with another team.
@werealljustguestshere agreed, he’s
a better defender at just about every position in my opinion. Also, he is younger and has the potential for some upside with the bat.
Agreed 100%. Since Buffalo isn’t starting until May it would make more sense to keep Espinal with the big club. I’m sure they are having discussions over sending him to AAA to get regular at bats. I’d rather he stayed with the top club. I still believe he can develop even without regular playing time.
Warmoth is intriguing. Not sure if you’ve watched him. Saw him play some in Arizona Fall and now in Spring. They are moving him around the diamond. He could potentially become a future utility man for the Jays.
Warmoth is an interesting player. I haven’t gotten to see too much of him yet but I remember he hit a bomb in the first day of spring training. I believe he will be at least a useful bench piece in the near future though! If anything he can fill in around the diamond in case of injury. He’s a player I’m going to keep an eye on for sure.
Definitely MrT. Had the minor league pack and watched Warmoth look completely lost. Someone’s been working with him. His bat is better. If he can show it, he’s either a versatile depth piece on the bench or a trade chip in a package involving more prominent prospects. We shall see.
Yea with AAA start pushed back espinal has to make the team in my opinion to. In an ideal world he fets every day ABs tho
Panik’s problem is his lack of power or speed means he’s only valuable if he can hit for a very high average and play great defense. But his defense has declined to average, and he’s been hitting .240 for years. So where’s his value?
I would hate to see Hatch really hurt. He has the makings of a solid starter and hurt would delay his development.
Panic was really good for a long while. I wonder what happened to him? Espinal is just a piece and is depth on a team that hat is not winning anything. Meh.
Valera is worse than Espinal. AAA player.
I hope the Jays keep McGuire and Kirk and trade Jansen. Jansen is a very good glove but an out in the lineup. Because of his eye site issues he is a AA bat.
Well he was a .300 hitter at AAA so i think hes better then a AA bat lol
What he did in AAA back when is irrelevant. He can’t see the some of spins on the ball anymore. Just take a look at some of his swings. Guess hitter.
Ok Jimmer. His AAA career was 2017 and 2018. Unless his eyesight rapidly deteriorated he hasnt fallen to a AA hitter. Hes simply overwhelmed by MLB pitching. Your so melodramatic
Walkoff…Jansen did have vision problems at one point. Where Jimmer fails here is when Jansen started wearing the glasses he started hitting in the minors. It saved his career.
With eye glasses Jansen doesn’t have a clue what MLB level pitch he is looking. He can have Herculean swings or look like a sandlot kid. Whiff.
The big picture question is Danny Jansen a #1 catcher on a championship team? The answer is probably no. Am I willing to give him a chance? Yes unless there is a Kirk ready which he appears to be and unless there is aMcGuire who is out of options. Are the jays winning this year? NO! Trade Jansen now for something nice.
Amazes me that Liriano is still in the league. I figured he’d be pitching overseas by now. You never know which Liriano your going to get when you sign him.
Toronto is very underrated. 1-2 punch with Ryu and Pearson. If Ray and Stripling come back to form, they will have a very good rotation. Ray is already doing well in spring and has a high k rate.
Pearson still needs to prove he can keep runs off the board in the majors. He has the talent to do so, but he looked terrible last year and starting off injured in 2021 will not help him get over the issues he had last season (mostly mental if you ask me).
While the Blue Jays made some excellent moves this offseason, their Achilles heel is going to be their starting rotation. In order for Toronto to make the playoffs this year, they are going to need to be a Top 3 offense in the runs scored category as there are going to be a lot of 7-6 or 6-5 games given their starting rotation. I actually like Boston’s rotation over Toronto’s this year and that’s saying something!
They need one of Ray or Matz to pitch to their abilities to hav a chance at first imo.
Ray and Matz are at their best now, they are not getting better. So there is NO chance for the Jays to do first.
Shut up clown
I really want to see a McGuire + prospect trade for a SP depth to happen ASAP.
I want to see Jansen + prospect traded for more than just depth, a real piece.
I would just like to know everyone’s opinion of Josh “Cell Phone” Palacios.