2017 Blue Jays Spring Training thread

[43211234]

4 TB pitchers have combined for 7 perfect innings so far.

[Spanky__99]

Gibbons on Bautista/Stroman/Donaldson and Travis.

 

By Jeff Odom / Special to MLB.com | 1:23 PM ET

 

BRADENTON, Fla. -- While Jose Bautista being a last-minute scratch from Team Dominican Republic's lineup before Saturday's World Baseball Classic game due to back stiffness may have initially been a cause for alarm, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said he is not concerned.

 

Gibbons described Bautista's issue on Sunday as "very, very minor," and expects the six-time All-Star to rejoin the Blue Jays within the next couple of days. Bautista was available to come off the bench, but never saw the field in a 6-3 defeat to the United States at San Diego's Petco Park that eliminated the defending Classic champions from the tournament.

 

"His No. 1 obligation is this team," Gibbons said before Toronto's game against the Pirates at LECOM Park.

 

"I think he was smart not playing that one, and we'll see him back soon."

 

Before departing for the Classic earlier this month, the 36-year-old Bautista had been enjoying a torrid start to Grapefruit League play. In 16 plate appearances, the slugger batted .563 with two home runs and six RBIs. Bautista also stole a base, something he only did twice in 116 games last season.

 

"As soon as he can get going again, he'll get a few days off. It's been a long grind out there," Gibbons said. "We'll get him moving in the last week and I'll tell you, I am looking forward to really trying to get the whole team together on the field."

 

Marcus Stroman tosses 4 2/3 scoreless innings against the Dominican Republic while allowing three hits and striking out four

 

• Count Gibbons among those rooting for Toronto right-hander Marcus Stroman and Team USA to win the Classic for the first time in four tries. Though Gibbons is not sure whether or not Stroman is in U.S. manager Jim Leyland's plans to start again, he noted how well the young pitcher has always risen to the occasion in big games.

 

Stroman is 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in two Classic starts.

 

"It would be something," Gibbons said. "You know what, I've always said [he is the] perfect guy, perfect place. When we have big games to pitch, he's always been a good option for us, and he's always answered the bell.

 

"I'll say it again, he might be the perfect guy."

 

• Gibbons indicated third baseman Josh Donaldson, limited since the opening week of Spring Training due to a right calf strain, is "just a couple days away" from playing again.

 

Also, second baseman Devon Travis, whose status for Opening Day remains in question because of soreness from a bone bruise in his right knee, will begin playing in the field in Minor League games first before getting some reps on the big league side, Gibbons said.

[closetjaysfan]

f*** todays game has been embarrassing... When are we going to get a new third base coach?

[Spanky__99]

Nice to see Bolsinger pitching well... his line today 2.2 IP 2 H 0 BB 4 K 0 ER... also Matt Dermody hasn't given up a run this spring, IIRC just a couple Inherited runners scored. I jinxed Dermody... Godammit Oberholtzer. Edited March 19, 2017 by Spanky99

[Spanky__99]

f*** todays game has been embarrassing... When are we going to get a new third base coach?

 

Is Rivera even there, I think he's still in the WBC?

 

Yeah, he's the 3rd base coach for PR.

[closetjaysfan]

Is Rivera even there, I think he's still in the WBC?

 

Yeah, he's the 3rd base coach for PR.

 

he is there according to the radio: 2 thrown out at home (same inning), 1 thrown out at 3rd and a couple runners that failed to advance on hits.

[Spanky__99]

he is there according to the radio: 2 thrown out at home (same inning), 1 thrown out at 3rd and a couple runners that failed to advance on hits.

 

I'm dumn... you're right, he was the 3rd base coach of Canada... and I concur he's an idiot.

[closetjaysfan]

I'm dumn... you're right, he was the 3rd base coach of Canada... and I concur he's an idiot.

 

You could have just as easily been right. it is kinda hard to trust Wilner and Co. I had to look up the boxscore just to figure out who they were talking about on the Pirates. They constantly refer to them by their position instead of by name... even when they are batting ffs.

[Spanky__99]

More Birds content... Pillar sent to the minors to bunt, lol. 2 games today to strictly bunt.

 

 

Bunt-Fest: Jays' Pillar bunts 7 times in minor league games

 

MARK DIDTLER (Associated Press)

The Associated Press•Mar 19, 2017, 5:37 PM

 

Bunt-Fest: Pillar bunts 7 times in minor league games

 

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Kevin Pillar was back in the minors for a bunt-fest.

 

The Toronto Blue Jays center fielder spent Sunday switching from a Triple-A exhibition game to a Double-A contest on adjacent fields, attempting to reach on bunt singles in all seven at-bats.

 

Pillar might need a little more practice - he went 0 for 7.

 

''It's something that I want to have as a tool, something in my back pocket,'' he said. ''Find another way to get on base. To be confident enough to get my bunt down, place it where I want to place it. A perfectly executed bunt is tough to defend, even if they know it's coming.''

 

Pillar has worked on bunting off a pitching machine and said it almost has become easy to place the ball.

 

Facing Yankees minor leaguers at New York's complex in Tampa, Florida, Pillar struck out in his first two at-bats on foul bunts with two strikes. After bunting the ball in the air to the first baseman on his next try, he got the final four attempts down but was thrown out each time.

 

''It's good for me to get out here and realize there's still a lot work to be done,'' Pillar said. ''It started out pretty bad and then a little bit better. So, I take that as a positive days work. I'll continue to work on it, and make it a part of my game as best that I can.''

 

Pillar hit .266 in 146 games last season.

 

Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis also took part in the minor league games as a designated hitter, and remains hopeful of being ready for the start of the regular season.

 

''That's my goal,'' Travis said. ''Things got to continue to progress the right way.''

 

Travis has been slowed by a bone bruise on his right knee, which had offseason surgery to remove a small flap of cartilage. He ran to first base at full speed.

 

''I'm just getting back into the flow of things,'' Travis said.

 

Travis could play defense for the first time this week.

[Orgfiller]

Jesus Christ. Can we make JD our manager so this BS won't happen?

[Spanky__99]

Jesus Christ. Can we make JD our manager so this BS won't happen?

 

Just something in his pocket... lulz.

[Stangstag]

More Birds content... Pillar sent to the minors to bunt, lol. 2 games today to strictly bunt.

 

 

Bunt-Fest: Jays' Pillar bunts 7 times in minor league games

 

MARK DIDTLER (Associated Press)

The Associated Press•Mar 19, 2017, 5:37 PM

 

Bunt-Fest: Pillar bunts 7 times in minor league games

 

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Kevin Pillar was back in the minors for a bunt-fest.

 

The Toronto Blue Jays center fielder spent Sunday switching from a Triple-A exhibition game to a Double-A contest on adjacent fields, attempting to reach on bunt singles in all seven at-bats.

 

Pillar might need a little more practice - he went 0 for 7.

 

''It's something that I want to have as a tool, something in my back pocket,'' he said. ''Find another way to get on base. To be confident enough to get my bunt down, place it where I want to place it. A perfectly executed bunt is tough to defend, even if they know it's coming.''

 

Pillar has worked on bunting off a pitching machine and said it almost has become easy to place the ball.

 

Facing Yankees minor leaguers at New York's complex in Tampa, Florida, Pillar struck out in his first two at-bats on foul bunts with two strikes. After bunting the ball in the air to the first baseman on his next try, he got the final four attempts down but was thrown out each time.

 

''It's good for me to get out here and realize there's still a lot work to be done,'' Pillar said. ''It started out pretty bad and then a little bit better. So, I take that as a positive days work. I'll continue to work on it, and make it a part of my game as best that I can.''

 

Pillar hit .266 in 146 games last season.

 

Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis also took part in the minor league games as a designated hitter, and remains hopeful of being ready for the start of the regular season.

 

''That's my goal,'' Travis said. ''Things got to continue to progress the right way.''

 

Travis has been slowed by a bone bruise on his right knee, which had offseason surgery to remove a small flap of cartilage. He ran to first base at full speed.

 

''I'm just getting back into the flow of things,'' Travis said.

 

Travis could play defense for the first time this week.

 

 

I don't see a problem with this. Speedy guys like Pillar should be able to bunt on command, and if he needs the practice i'm all for it. Its another tool that could come in handy, and i'd rather him lay down a proper bunt (if he's trying to) rather than popping it up or fouling it off.

[Spanky__99]

I don't see a problem with this. Speedy guys like Pillar should be able to bunt on command, and if he needs the practice i'm all for it. Its another tool that could come in handy, and i'd rather him lay down a proper bunt (if he's trying to) rather than popping it up or fouling it off.

 

Ughhh... he isn't that fast. If he was getting shifted, sure. Meh... like you said, it's just ST. Not to mention he's a RHH and not a power bat, they wouldn't be playing him back, regardless.

[Jonn]

Good it's becoming a very real possibility of both Donaldson and Travis being ready for opening day.

[Spanky__99]

Good it's becoming a very real possibility of both Donaldson and Travis being ready for opening day.

 

I've told you this many times, dumn-dumn, well, aside from a setback.

[RealAccountant]

I've told you this many times, dumn-dumn, well, aside from a setback.

 

He prob has on you IL.

[Jonn]

I've told you this many times, dumn-dumn, well, aside from a setback.

 

You have? You sure it was me because I don't recall.

 

He prob has on you IL.

 

Nah

[Spanky__99]

You have? You sure it was me because I don't recall.

 

 

 

Nah

 

Yes and funny considering the Dogg is on IL, everyone needs to do it.

[Sammy225]

JD back with the big club today and looking to be playing 3rd by Wed, Travis playing 2nd today with minor league team and they are looking to have him with the big club by the weekend.... Things are slowly starting to come back together. Lets just make sure Bau is ok and we will be good to go.

[Brownie19]

I don't see a problem with this. Speedy guys like Pillar should be able to bunt on command, and if he needs the practice i'm all for it. Its another tool that could come in handy, and i'd rather him lay down a proper bunt (if he's trying to) rather than popping it up or fouling it off.

 

I have no problem with a fringe hitter trying to become more versatile. God knows we all used to rip on guys like Goins because they couldn't lay down a sac bunt.

[RealAccountant]

Yes and funny considering the Dogg is on IL, everyone needs to do it.

 

I have you on IL spanky

 

A different kind of IL

 

The I Love List.

 

Love you old friend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nah Just joking, I am just fond of you

[Governator]

I have no problem with a fringe hitter trying to become more versatile. God knows we all used to rip on guys like Goins because they couldn't lay down a sac bunt.

 

He should first practice not swinging at balls thrown at him before bunting. Getting on base with an average walk rate would probably help his game the most.

[Boxcar]

I don't see a problem with this. Speedy guys like Pillar should be able to bunt on command, and if he needs the practice i'm all for it. Its another tool that could come in handy, and i'd rather him lay down a proper bunt (if he's trying to) rather than popping it up or fouling it off.

 

Agreed. I hate bunting as much as anyone but it's still a very relevant skill to have for the Pillar (and *cough* Goins *cough*) types.

[Boxcar]

He should first practice not swinging at balls thrown at him before bunting. Getting on base with an average walk rate would probably help his game the most.

 

Probably won't help. I'm in the camp that the eye skill is largely genetic. This skill lives at the fringes of what is possible for the human body to accomplish.

[glory]

Liriano with 10 k's in 4.2 innings. Bounce back time.

[Melvin]

He prob has on you IL.

 

Everyone has you on IL

[HERPDERP]

are we going to ignore that Carrera and Barney collided?

 

Looks like Carrera got his s*** f***ed up in the knee

 

Hello Angel Pagan

[glory]

Pagan wants $5mm. Don't see them spending that when they appear fine with Pearce in Left when his arm is healthy.

[Spanky__99]

So did Zeke and McBroom collide? A double on a pop-up to 1st... injury delay... and Zeke was taken out of the game?!?!

[King]

 

Gary Sanchez homering off Jose Espada. Think thats Vlad Jr. at 3B