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Arden Zwelling @ArdenZwelling Correction: Joey Murray will be the final pitcher on Feb. 28 @ NYY, not Julian Merryweather.

Arden Zwelling @ArdenZwelling Per manager Charlie Montoyo, Blue Jays pitchers scheduled to appear in first two games of spring: Feb. 28 @ NYY — Kay, Zeuch, Waguespack, Baker, Merryweather Mar. 1 vs. PIT — Ray, Pearson, Romano, Borucki, Liriano, Zulueta

Shi Davidi @ShiDavidi Righty Tyler Chatwood says current #BlueJays plan is for him to work as a late-inning leverage reliever. Is looking forward to the adjustment and expects his "stuff is going to play up." Shi Davidi @ShiDavidi Chatwood pitched partly in such a role in 2019 with #Cubs. He says Brandon Morrow really helped him with the transition from starter to reliever. Craig Kimbrel, too.

Rob Longley @longleysunsport #Bluejays spring training opener vs. the #Yankees on Sunday afternoon will air on Sportsnet. New York broadcaster YES will be producing the game from Tampa's Steinbrenner Field.

Arden Zwelling @ArdenZwelling Blue Jays lose right-hander Joel Payamps on outright waivers to the Boston Red Sox. Two weeks ago, the Blue Jays claimed Payamps off waivers from... the Red Sox. Creates an opening on Toronto's 40-man roster.

Mark Feinsand @Feinsand The Yankees and Brett Gardner have agreed to a one-year deal with a $4 million guarantee, per source. Deal includes player and team options for 2022.

Arden Zwelling @ArdenZwelling Per Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins, Patrick Murphy’s shoulder issue is an AC joint injury. Occurred more than a month ago. He likely won’t be built up in time for start of the season but is expected to be ready soon thereafter. Arden Zwelling @ArdenZwelling Atkins says plan is to stretch out Julian Merryweather as a starter for now and make a decision on his regular season role later in camp. Still a possibility Merryweather factors into Blue Jays bullpen depending on how circumstances develop. Arden Zwelling @ArdenZwelling Atkins says it’s realistic Alejandro Kirk could be Blue Jays back-up catcher while continuing to develop. Says Kirk has "shown us all the attributes it takes to be a major-league catcher” but focus now is durability and workload considering his limited minor-league foundation. Arden Zwelling @ArdenZwelling That said, Reese McGuire's out of options and firmly in the mix for Blue Jays secondary catcher role. Of McGuire, Atkins says "we feel confident he can perform defensively — and if his offence comes around, he's a very valuable piece."

Arash Madani @ArashMadani Per Ross Atkins on Blue Jays pitchers: * Trent Thornton is "good to go" after elbow surgery; * Francisco Liriano will be a bullpen option; * Jordan Romano, restriction-free as camp opens after injuries affected him last season. Arash Madani @ArashMadani Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins says "a good benchmark" for a younger starting pitcher, coming off of a shortened 2020 season, is around 160 innings for this year. Atkins says the number of innings that are pitched is "a piece of the equation" that the Blue Jays evaluate. Arash Madani @ArashMadani Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins: "The makeup of our 26-man roster is going to fluctuate a great deal." As in, how many pitchers/relievers, depending on the state of the staff and their health and how many bullpen arms they may need in a series/situation. Arash Madani @ArashMadani Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins on the rotation: "I feel so good about the group that is in place." Says the team could still add before and at the trade deadline.

Andy Martino @martinonyc The Mets have a deal with taijuan Walker, sources tell SNY.