SARASOTA, Fla. – Mat Latos struggled with command in the Toronto Blue Jays’ Grapefruit League loss to the Baltimore Orioles Wednesday, throwing 22 of his 39 pitches for balls.
That’s got to be a disappointment for the Blue Jays, who are seriously considering Latos for a spot on their pitching staff, but the right-hander attacked the strike zone more consistently earlier in spring, and will continue getting chances to make his case for a big-league roster spot.
Command issues aside, there were some noteworthy moments from the Blue Jays’ 6-4 loss at Ed Smith Stadium…
LOURDES’ POWER
Well that’s one way to avoid over-exerting a sore hamstring. In his first game since Feb. 25, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hammered the first pitch he saw, a hanging Tyler Wilson breaking ball, over the left field wall for a no-doubt, three-run homer.
“The kid’s got a lot of talent. He’ll be calling home tonight, I would think,” manager John Gibbons said. “Keep hitting ‘em like that.”
Gurriel, who recently received medical clearance to play, says he’s feeling stronger after a week and a half of rest. Still, the Blue Jays used the 23-year-old Cuban as a designated hitter Wednesday to ease him into his second game of the spring.
While Gurriel didn’t play professionally in 2016, timing wasn’t an issue against Wilson, who pitched in 24 big-league games last year.
“Baseball is baseball and you’ve got to know how to play the game no matter where you are,” Gurriel said through Blue Jays third base coach Luis Rivera.
Gurriel will likely start the season with the Dunedin Blue Jays, where he’s expected to be the starting shortstop. Still, it doesn’t hurt to get some seasoning against MLB-level players.
“He’s very athletic. You just want him to get his feet wet, get familiar around all of the guys,” Gibbons said. “He’s a wonderful kid, man, he’s always smiling—there’s reasons he’s smiling.”
Gurriel, who signed a seven-year, $22 million contract with the Blue Jays in November, has one more reason to smile after Wednesday’s power display.
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DEPTH ARM
Lucas Harrell continued a quietly effective spring with another scoreless inning against the Orioles. The right-hander, who spent the 2016 season with the Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers, pitched his third clean frame of the spring Wednesday. He has recovered from the right groin strain that ended his season last August, as evidenced by three strikeouts and zero hits allowed in two appearances.
Though he’s apparently set to open the year in Buffalo, Harrell has reached the big-leagues in six of the last seven seasons and provides insurance innings if needed.
DEFENSIVE PROWESS
Three players likely to begin the season in the minors showed off some impressive defence Wednesday.
First baseman Rowdy Tellez made a diving play to rob Caleb Joseph of a hit; utility player extraordinaire Jake Elmore made a tremendous running catch on a pop up in shallow centre field mere moments after changing positions from left field to second base; and shortstop Richard Urena continued showing off a strong throwing arm.
Elmore could find his way onto the 2017 Blue Jays, and Tellez and Urena are among the organization’s top prospects, so those plays were encouraging signs for Gibbons and his coaching staff.
