Toronto Blue Jays starting rotation is facing a serious crisis
Photo credit: Daily Hive
The Toronto Blue Jays will have their starting rotation depth tested early as Max Scherzer continues to struggle with his thumb as he played a simulated game against minor leaguers on Monday and Tuesday.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider feels that it will be a day-to-day scenario and hopefully have clarity before opening day on March 27th.
Blue Jays pitching depth being tested early
«If he throws on Saturday, you've got to see how he feels Sunday - it's always kind of the next day to kind of gauge how he's feeling,» said Schneider. «Hopefully we have a decision this weekend. And if we don't, we'll manage it that way the best we can.» John Schneider
If Scherzer is unable to play in the first few starts, the Blue Jays will have to look at their pitching rotation and pitching depth to help fill his spot which could lead to
Eric Lauer being part of the Blue Jays pitching.
Eric Lauer being part of the Blue Jays pitching.
Lauer signed a minor league deal in December which will pay him $2.2 million if he is in the majors and based on incentives.
He would likely be in the bullpen which would shift a player like Yariel Rodriguez could be put into the starting rotation temporarily until Scherzer is ready to return.
Max Scherzer (sore thumb) is throwing to minor leaguers this morning. John Schneider said next steps (whether it be another minor leaguers game or major league game) will depend on how he feels tomorrow
Still, «I think we're all right,» Schneider added, while acknowledging «you're going to need more than five (starters), we know that. We'll also need some guys to continue to develop, hopefully quickly, that are in our system already. But with how we are lined up with our projected rotation and then the three or four behind them, we feel pretty good.» John Schneider
Blue Jays have other options to help them
The Blue Jays have several options that they could work with aside Lauer including
Ryan Yarbrough it was also on a minor league deal but could easily make the team.
Ryan Yarbrough it was also on a minor league deal but could easily make the team.
Alek Manoah who was throwing off the mound for the second time felt good but it's not in a position to be rushed back which means a late season start is more likely.
«When I just look at me and my plan, I want to be ready as fast as possible, I want to hit all these bullpens and have no setbacks, get into live BPs and strike everybody out, all that stuff,» Manoah continued.
«For me, I think the perfect plan would be, back in August. Wherever the team is at, obviously those things can change, and hopefully, if everything comes back great, maybe it'll be a little bit sooner.
But the biggest thing is I'm going to be able to help this team with me being 100 per cent, as good as I am when I'm healthy. So that's the No. 1 priority and once we have that, then we can help the team in any capacity. - Alex Manoah
«For me, I think the perfect plan would be, back in August. Wherever the team is at, obviously those things can change, and hopefully, if everything comes back great, maybe it'll be a little bit sooner.
But the biggest thing is I'm going to be able to help this team with me being 100 per cent, as good as I am when I'm healthy. So that's the No. 1 priority and once we have that, then we can help the team in any capacity. - Alex Manoah
In the end, the Blue Jays do have options, and it may give them a chance to see what their pitching depth can do. The organization is hoping that Scherzer's injury will be short lived then he can start his Blue Jays chapter on a high note.
Source: Sportsnet
Scherzer's thumb issue an early test of Blue Jays' starting depth
Scherzer's thumb issue an early test of Blue Jays' starting depth
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