Notes: Bichette homers twice; Thornton solid
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Opening Day can’t get here soon enough for Bo Bichette.
After opening his spring 4-for-23 (.174) in 10 games, Bichette has been rounding into shape in recent days. The shortstop slugged a pair of opposite-field home runs in Wednesday's 5-0 win over the Yankees, part of a 3-for-3 day that included three runs scored and two RBIs.
“That's a great sign,” manager Charlie Montoyo said. “I was never worried, but what we've done this spring is give guys at-bats, whatever they need. He felt like he needed back-to-back days to get his timing down; he had a good game last night and today, it's a great sign to see him go the other way.”
In his past five games, Bichette is 7-for-15 with four extra-base hits, lifting his spring average to .289. That number will revert back to .000 when the Blue Jays open the 2021 campaign on April 1, but Bichette appears to be putting himself in position to carry some momentum into the regular season.
“I think it's helpful to get locked in here, but once the season starts, it'll be a completely different game,” Bichette said. “I think the last two days have been more like myself. I’ll just try to keep that going.”
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Playing the long (man) game
Trent Thornton threw three scoreless innings on Wednesday, his second straight solid outing since making his spring debut last Friday.
“I was really excited to start the game against the Yankees today, because that's a true test of where I'm at,” Thornton said. “I felt that I had pretty good command, was able to work ahead and execute the things that I wanted to do. A lot of positive things to take away today.”
Thornton, who had surgery to remove bone chips in his right elbow, allowed three hits and one walk, striking out three. He hasn’t allowed a run in five innings this spring, setting himself up to play a crucial role as he competes for a spot in the Blue Jays' bullpen this season.
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“I felt really good out there today,” Thornton said. “I wanted to get through those three innings, just pound the strike zone, work ahead in the count; I felt like I was able to do that for the most part. There’s a couple pitches that I felt like I pushed a couple changeups, but other than that, everything felt pretty sharp for the most part.”
Montoyo said he sees Thornton as a starter long-term, but with a week left until the season begins, the likelihood is that the right-hander will open the season in a relief role.
“It was good to see him face a good lineup; he did an outstanding job,” Montoyo said. “Because we don’t have a chance to stretch him out as a starter, he could be a long guy right now in the 'pen.”
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Making an impression
Another pitcher having an excellent spring is Anthony Castro, who fired another scoreless frame on Wednesday. Castro has allowed just one run in eight appearances this spring, walking one batter while striking out 13 over 7 1/3 innings.
Castro made his debut last year with the Tigers, the only big league outing of his career. He was selected off waivers by Toronto in December, and while he’s not a lock to make the Opening Day roster, the 25-year-old has caught Montoyo’s eye.
“He's making an impression, and that's what you need to do when you're a new guy in a new place,” Montoyo said. “That’s what he’s doing; he’s throwing strikes with all his pitches. … He's doing everything it takes to make a club.”
Up next
The Blue Jays host the Tigers on Thursday night in Dunedin, Fla., as Steven Matz squares off against Casey Mize. First pitch is scheduled for 6:37 p.m. ET.