Start pushed back, but Hutchison feels fine

TORONTO -- Drew Hutchison said the Blue Jays have been kicking around the idea of getting him some extra rest, so it came as no surprise when he was told his next start would be pushed back to Tuesday in Detroit.

Hutchison was originally slated to make the start on Saturday against the Royals at Rogers Centre, but the team recalled Marcus Stroman following Friday's game, and the rookie right-hander took the mound instead.

Hutchison said pitching coach Pete Walker had made an off-hand comment earlier this season that the team might limit his innings to keep him fresh.

"It was already kind of mentioned to me, and I knew at some point this was going to happen," said Hutchison, who's coming off a poor outing on Monday, when he allowed five earned runs over five innings in a win against the Rays. "Of course I want to take the ball every five days. It's something you take pride in doing."

After he appeared in only 10 Minor League games in 2013 following Tommy John surgery, the Blue Jays are keeping an eye on Hutchison. He's pitched 65 innings through 11 starts, and owns a 4-3 record with a 3.88 ERA in 2014.

The 23-year-old said he feels fine physically and has not experienced any fatigue. He chalks up his last start to a "bad outing."

"Physically I feel good," he said. "I just didn't have a good start my last time out. That's how I viewed it ... I wasn't sharp. It was one of those games you have to fight through."

Hutchison threw a bullpen session on Saturday morning, in keeping with his regular routine, which he will stick to the next few days save for a few tweaks.

The Blue Jays have yet to make a decision about the makeup of the starting rotation going forward, and for the time being, their pitching staff consists of six starters and six relief arms.