Toronto Blue Jays are facing some seriously tough decisions
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Toronto Blue Jays have tough decisions ahead when it comes to their starting rotation and whether they can ask more from them.
Their newest crisis is the sudden regression of rookie starter Easton Lucas who has had two terrible starts which has led the Blue Jays to send him back to Buffalo and wondering if they could reduce the days rest between their existing rotation.
Max Scherzer not ready to make his return to Blue Jays
Much of this issue is being driven by veteran pitcher Max Scherzer's inability to shake off his thumb injury which required a second cortisone shot just a few days ago.
As expected Max Scherzer (right thumb) has rejoined the team here in Houston and is out throwing. Scherzer received a second cortisone shot, this time in the knuckle area, hoping to help alleviate the discomfort in his thumb. #BlueJays
The Blue Jays felt confident that Lucas could stand in for Scherzer while he healed, and his first two games looked promising.
After a start against the Atlanta Braves and the recent start against the Seattle Mariners where Lucas was in trouble early with several home runs against, the Blue Jays had seen enough and felt he was better off heading back to Buffalo to find his game.
Removing recovery time an extra day off for this veteran rotation could spell trouble with keeping these men healthy especially if the Blue Jays continued to contend for the American League East against the New York Yankees.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider spoke about their plans on how to deal with this crisis.
«I don't think we're going to try to overwork some of our veteran pitchers,» manager John Schneider said, and later offered this reply when asked about the balance between that and a couple of turns without extra rest: «You want to keep everything moving in the right direction, especially for starters. They're kind of creatures of habit and if you don't foresee it being, a long-term thing, you want to keep them on schedule. Is there is there a way to do it with manoeuvring? Yeah, for sure. I think what we've done a really good job of is being in touch with those guys and those guys being honest with us. It's early. We're going to need to need more than just five starters. That's just how the game works.» - John Schneider
Blue Jays may to shuffle pitchers from bullpen to help rotation
It's becoming clear that the Blue Jays will need to shuffle relief pitchers who are capable of a spot start to help the starting rotation while they wait for scherzer's thumb to recover.
The Blue Jays managed to receive some great work from Paxton Schultz who had a 4.1 shutout inning and eight strikeouts during the game against the Mariners
where Lucas was pulled after less than two innings of work.
where Lucas was pulled after less than two innings of work.
It remains to be seen on how Schneider and his staff will manage this issue and the Blue Jays will need to dig in deeper to help themselves stay in contention as they weather this current crisis.
The Blue Jays have opened a new series against the Houston Astros on the road and then will face the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
Source: Sportsnet
Blue Jays wary of taking extra rest days from veteran starters
Blue Jays wary of taking extra rest days from veteran starters
| POLL | ||
17 HOURS AGO | 606 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays are facing some seriously tough decisions What should the Blue Jays do with their hole in the starting rotation? | ||
TRENDING NOW
