The Blue Jays will place nearer Jordan Romano and setup man Erik Swanson on the injured checklist to start the season, supervisor John Schneider introduced to reporters Wednesday (X thread by way of Shi Davidi of Sportsnet). Proper-hander Alek Manoah can also be doubtless headed to the 15-day IL, the supervisor added, although evidently’ll simply be to permit him some additional time to proceed increase after he was slowed by shoulder hassle earlier in camp. Manoah tossed 34 pitches in a simulated sport at this time and can proceed to construct from there. Righties Nate Pearson and Wes Parsons will open the season on the massive league roster instead of Romano and Swanson.
Each Romano and Swanson lately underwent MRIs after experiencing some discomfort, neither of which revealed structural harm. Romano has some irritation in his elbow, whereas Swanson is coping with some tightness in his forearm. Neither is anticipated to overlook vital time, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a blow to the Jays’ bullpen within the early levels of the season.
Romano, 31 subsequent month, has turn out to be a powerhouse behind the Toronto ’pen. Over the previous 4 seasons, he’s pitched to a 2.29 ERA (3.13 FIP, 3.14 SIERA) with a gaudy 30.8% strikeout price in opposition to a 9.2% stroll price. Final yr’s Ok-BB% wasn’t fairly as dominant as within the prior three seasons, however Romano’s 17.1% swinging-strike price was a flat-out elite mark that hints at a possible “rebound” in strikeout price (as a lot as anybody must “rebound” from a typically glorious 29% mark in that regard). The suitable-hander additionally tied a career-high with 36 saves.
The 30-year-old Swanson, acquired from the Mariners in final offseason’s Teoscar Hernandez commerce, would’ve been the favourite to step into closing duties for Romano have been he wholesome. He posted a 2.97 ERA in his first season with the Jays and carries a terrific 2.60 earned run common (3.04 FIP, 3.07 SIERA) over the previous three seasons. Throughout that point, Swanson has punched out 29.4% of his opponents in opposition to a really sturdy 6.7% stroll price.
With Romano and Swanson shelved to start the yr, closing duties will presumably fall to veteran Yimi Garcia. Setup choices embrace Chad Inexperienced, the aforementioned Pearson, lefty Tim Mayza and fellow southpaw Genesis Cabrera. The Jays nonetheless have an honest group of relievers, however any group’s bullpen goes to look a bit dicey when subtracting its two clear greatest relievers, as is the case in Toronto.
As for the rotation, Manoah is slotted into the No. 5 spot as he appears to be like to rebound from final yr’s nightmarish season. The Jays have been involved for a bit that employees ace Kevin Gausman would additionally require an IL stint, nevertheless it appears he’s progressed sufficient to keep away from that destiny. They’ll nonetheless open the season with Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt and Yusei Kikuchi beginning the primary three video games, however Gausman shall be in line for the fourth or fifth sport. He simply pitched in a remaining spring tune-up outing Monday and thus received’t be sufficiently rested for an Opening Day nod.
With Manoah out, righty Bowden Francis will get the rotation nod to start the season. He’s already been confirmed for the roster — his first profession Opening Day roster spot — and can look to construct on final yr’s spectacular rookie displaying. The 27-year-old tossed 36 1/3 frames of 1.73 ERA ball with plus strikeout and stroll charges (25.7% and 5.9%, respectively) over the lifetime of 20 aid appearances. Francis has usually been a starter within the minors, so an early rotation function shall be loads acquainted for him. He may very well be the primary man up within the rotation all through the early portion of the season if the Jays incur accidents on the employees, although high prospect Ricky Tiedemann may even doubtless make his large league debut sooner or later this season.