It is looking “unlikely” that George Springer will be available for the Blue Jays’ Opening Day roster, as Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi (Twitter link) reports that Springer’s oblique strain is progressing well but not quite well enough to avoid missing some time. The Jays “will make a last-minute decision” on Springer leading up to their first game of the season, and if an injured-list placement is required, the borderline nature of Springer’s status would seem to hint that the outfielder might only be out for a minimal amount of time. That said, the Jays will certainly be cautious with their prized offseason signing, especially considering how oblique problems can linger and occasionally lead to multiple months on the IL.
More from the Jays…
- The team officially announced that they will play their home games in Dunedin through the end of May. The Jays had already committed to their temporary ballpark through their first two homestands of the season, but have now added that the May 14-24 homestand will also take place in Florida. Team president Mark Shapiro recently stated that the Blue Jays would likely be in Dunedin until early June, when the increasingly hot weather could prompt a return to Buffalo, site of the Jays’ Triple-A affiliate.
- T.J. Zeuch will make the Opening Day roster, manager Charlie Montoyo told The Toronto Star’s Laura Armstrong and other reporters on Monday. The 21st overall pick of the 2016 draft, Zeuch has a 3.71 ERA/5.09 SIERA and 52.8% groundball rate over 34 innings as a big leaguer. Zeuch will theoretically fill in for Robbie Ray (who will miss his first start due to a bruised elbow) in some capacity, though rather than a straight-forward spot start, Zeuch could be part of a bullpen game, work as a piggyback starter, or perhaps work as a bulk pitcher behind an opener.
If they already told Johnathan Davis that he made the team, I’m 100%. certain George Springer starts the year on the IL. I don’t see them starting the season with five outfielders unless Springer DH’s?
I’ve said it before, really happy that Johnathan Davis made the Opening Day Roster, He was great to follow this spring and I’ve enjoyed the way he plays the game every time he is up!
Congratulations to him!
He does more to help them win than Grichuk as well. They should be doing everything possible to try and dump that contract.
Kind of a waste of money to have Rogers Center sitting empty for another season. Seems like Toronto would be working harder to bring revenue back into the city even in light of COVID concerns. Going forward it’s important to consider how international teams can affect American sports
its border issues. the mandatory quarantine makes any Canada-US sports impossible at the moment.
It’s a shame that they don’t open the doors to Rogers Centre to let patrons walk in and treat the place like an oversized bar even if games are being played in Dunedin or Buffalo. Throw the games on all the TVs, let people walk around the place (socially distance). Open the dome if it’s a nice day.
Cannot have the gatherings.
Stell you missed the first three words in my comment. Should have told you right away I am aware of the restrictions in Toronto and what it has done to the city. But thank you for your contribution.
I think there still using the Roger Centre to hold supplies to help local food banks. I like your idea though, even post-pandemic it would be great if they let people in to watch the jays on the road. The concession/merch money would be worth it!
always wondered why teams don’t do this. in non-Covid years I could see large crowds in some cities… like a giant block party
Instead of allowing people in to the park this is the perfect opportunity to give the park a big overhaul. They should have started this last year. Open the right field corner (similar to Cleveland left field) and give it a facelift so it’s not so blah.
Not a bad idea bluejaysfan but there is one wrinkle; Jays are working to build a new stadium and I think they want it done sooner rather than later. Given certain revenue streams not coming into the organization I’m sure they don’t want to add more expenses at this time.
You do realize a new stadium is an expense. Remodeling, less of an expense.
You do realize the organization wants to build the new stadium on the same grounds? You do realize they are motivated to build a new stadium and wasting money on a reno would not be necessary?
You don’t realize much.
You do realize we’re all just guests here?
Neo we are all just guests here!
Unfortunately I don’t think they trust people that much to take care of it. . Maple leaf gardens use
To have family skates and people would carve up the ice on purpose. We just can’t have nice things !
Yes, you know somebody or group would rain poop from the 500 level and that would spell the end of hospitality.
Charlotte and Portland should get the next expansion teams.
I kind of wonder if Portland with it’s seemingly nightly chaos would still garner consideration. Knowing that another western team would probably be needed i think it opens the door for Las Vegas or San Antonio to possibly be considered. Memphis or Nashville could also be possible though they are more south than west
48-team – no to Portland. Nashville is ready and should have 1st priority. Charlotte is fine also.
That’s what he said.
You would hope that they would’ve used this idle time at Rogers Centre to install the natural grass they promised for 2019!
You do know the University of Guelph did a three year study and said it would be financially and logistically almost impossible to install natural grass right?
So your saying there’s a chance!
I really hope Springer doesn’t miss much time. The team isn’t gonna be able to score without him in the lineup. And with our awful pitching every game without him is an automatic L.
7th best offense last year without Springer, what makes you think they cant score without him.
I know they have the ability to score, but many of their hitters have big questions marks? Fan vladdy break out? Will gurriel stay healthy? Can semien rebound? Was Hernandez last year a fluke? Major questions marks aside from Bo and Springer in the lineup.
You could say the same about every team in baseball. Will they stay healthy, will they continue performing, will they rebound etc.
Fair enough. I’m just not quite ready to proclaim blue jays as the “best offence in the AL east” until they show they are. They have great potential, for sure. Need to see it though.
yeah, what will a lineup with only Vlad, Bo, Semian, Biggio, and Gurriel do?
Don’t forget Hernandez and bat-first Rowdy
well yeah. figured i didn’t need to list the entire lineup because even just the guys i listed alone are a great group.
Just accentuating the point. Blue Jays have the best offense in the east, maybe the whole AL. Springer is really just the cherry on top.
actually Rowdy is a pretty ok 1B
its not rocket science, you can just make Zeuch the 5th starter. sheesh.
It’s not rocket science, Zeuch is not good enough to be the 5th starter. Not yet.
i dunno. strong Minors track record, not bad in 2019, looked good last year, strong in spring. i dont think it’s that outlandish.
First round draft pick with decent stats and can’t strike out anyone and has command issues at-times. It’s outlandish. He is not “there” yet. What went down yesterday is just a preview.
Zeuch will have his moments of brilliance but then regress to a AAAA player. Unless he re-events himself[again] it is what it is, AAAA player.
Let see after he has a season or two of mlb. There no evidence either way. But only one way to find out.
I’m just worried they’re gonna have too many pitchers that need to piggyback or open or can only go four as a starter. I’m picturing another year where the bullpen is holding the pitching staff together until suddenly they’re all too tired and can’t anymore. Like in May 15th or so.
Only way the blue Jays are playing in the Rogers Center this season is on MLB the Show
Enough already. Play Ball!
Congrats TJZ! We need our young pitchers to get this experience. He probably would have started in Buffalo. Take advantage of the opportunity.
Awesome….