TORONTO -- For the past few years, it’s seemed like the Blue Jays were struggling to keep up with baseball’s race to stock each and every bullpen with an assembly line of high-powered arms.
There have been big numbers here and there, from someone like closer Ken Giles, but Toronto has lacked the ability to do what many of their opponents have done to them: roll out multiple relievers who belong in the eighth or ninth innings, not just the sixth. That’s changed.
It hasn’t happened how you’d expect, though. The Blue Jays haven’t landed a big fish in free agency or swung a surprise deal. Instead, they hit the waiver wire, signed a couple of arms out of Japan and watched as some internal options took that next step. Pitching coach Pete Walker sure isn’t complaining.
“This is certainly one of the best groups I’ve had,” Walker said. “Some of the young talent we have is incredible. There’s a lot of power arms in the bullpen, which is very appealing to us all when we’re talking about high-leverage situations late in the game.”
There’s always a need for a reliever who can carry some bulk, like a Sam Gaviglio or any number of young starters who will be shortened up in 2020, but at some point, it’s going to be a one-run game late and you need some heat.
Beyond Giles, the name to know here might be Rafael Dolis. Once an MLB reliever with plenty of talent and little relationship with the strike zone, Dolis went to Japan, where he found himself again. The Dominican right-hander pitched four seasons for the Hanshin Tigers, eventually becoming their closer.
“Dolis looks outstanding,” Walker said. “The fact we were able to get a closer in Japan for a few years with 30-plus saves a year, he knows how to finish a game. His demeanor is impressive. His power to his sink, and he pitches up in the zone as well, a nasty split. He’s got some weapons to pitch in this league and pitch effectively late.”
If it’s Dolis competing with Anthony Bass for high-leverage innings on the back end, then Canadian right-hander Jordan Romano might be the dark horse.
“Romano right now is showing plus power with a devastating slider,” Walker said. “I know we saw him last year [pitch well] for a little bit, then he physically had some issues which kept him from seeing those elite numbers velocity wise, but he looks outstanding right now. He could end up being a big part of this bullpen.”
Font to the IL
The Blue Jays placed Wilmer Font on the 10-day injured list on Monday, but no further information has been provided. Font was projected to be a piece of Toronto's bullpen in 2020 after excelling in a hybrid role last season, including 14 starts as the club’s go-to opener.
Major League Baseball has instituted a COVID-19 list this season, although clubs will not announce which players are placed on it due to privacy laws regarding individuals’ health. Players may address their status if they wish, though they are not required to do so. Merely being placed on an injured list without further explanation is not confirmation that a player has tested positive for COVID-19. For example, potential exposure to a person who has the virus can be sufficient cause.
Other injury updates
• Chase Anderson (strained oblique) played catch at 90 feet on Tuesday.
• Travis Shaw has a sore groin, but he felt good running the bases today.
• Julian Merryweather strained his oblique. Manager Charlie Montoyo said the injury was “day to day” for now, but he expects to have a clearer update Wednesday.
Team Bo vs. Team Grich
Having a team named after you is a lot like giving yourself a nickname, in that you really need to pull it off to make it work. Bo Bichette sure did, launching a home run on the first pitch of Tuesday’s intrasquad game for Team Bo. Nearly all of the game’s offense came in that first inning with Jacob Waguespack on the mound. After giving up a pair of singles and a walk to load the bases, Reese McGuire took Waguespack deep to left for a grand slam that bounced high off the foul pole.
Matt Shoemaker allowed four runs on six hits over 4 2/3 innings, striking out six, but the key number was his 93 pitches. He’ll be ready in time for his first start of the season after spending the past month-plus building up to this point.
Extras
• No. 5 overall pick Austin Martin was back taking ground balls at third base prior to Tuesday’s intrasquad game. He’ll be moved around, with second base and the outfield in the picture, but his first steps are coming at the hot corner, which Vladimir Guerrero Jr. no longer calls home after switching to first base.
• When the two teams returned to their clubhouses just prior to the game, Martin stayed at the batting cage with Dante Bichette. They didn’t swing, just talked. Bichette is quietly becoming an extremely valuable resource for hitters.
• Anthony Alford launched a solo shot to left off Shoemaker. Out of options, 2020 could be Alford’s final chance to make an impression. Health and inconsistencies have overshadowed his incredible talent at times, but if he gets hot, a 60-game season could be just the setting for him to make an impact.
• The intrasquad game featured all of the usual sounds, with crowd noise and even the home run horn. The stadium was empty, but a small group of the Blue Jays’ grounds crew sat along with first-base line. Some even had signs.
• Guerrero, taking the dress rehearsal a step further, threw a few balls to fans (empty seats) and, at one point, called for a replay review.