ARLINGTON, Texas – The Toronto Blue Jays plan to give Lourdes Gurriel Jr., some reps in the outfield at triple-A Buffalo so that they can use him all around the diamond when he eventually returns to the big-leagues.
General manager Ross Atkins wouldn’t speculate Saturday on when that might be, but with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., now at third base, the club no longer wants the 25-year-old Cuban to exclusively play second base because it would limit Brandon Drury’s playing time.
Hence, the plan to give Gurriel some practice in the outfield, which he last played in 2015-16 with the Industriales in Cuba, logging 307 innings over 40 games.
“Getting that back into his game would give him more opportunity for more playing time,” said Atkins. “It could be something that happens in a week or two, or it could take longer depending on the performances here and obviously, his transition to the outfield.”
The Blue Jays optioned Gurriel to Buffalo after he came out of an April 14 game in which he made a throwing error on a routine play for the second straight day. Since then he’s primarily played at second with the Bisons, although he’s appeared in three games at shortstop, including Saturday’s 5-3 loss to Lehigh Valley.
Offensively, he’s been fine, posting a 1.069 OPS in 16 games, and the Blue Jays feel “he has made strides” with his throwing, as well.
“He looks like the defender he was a year ago in triple-A,” said Atkins. “He looks much more confident and it’s not just dependent on his second base throws at this point because we want to play Brandon Drury and Eric Sogard, as well. It’s not something where we say, this is a matter of time. It’s a matter of seeing it over an extended period of time and hearing that confidence level from him, is how we’ll make the decision (to recall Gurriel) mutually.”
Meanwhile, Atkins described lefty Clayton Richard, recovering from a stress reaction in his right knee, as “the most realistic” option to get the ball the next time the Blue Jays need a fifth starter May 18. Thomas Pannone was their spot starter Saturday.
“That would be the best scenario for us, if that works out,” said Atkins. “But we’re not going to rush him into that, if he’s not ready for it. We are extremely encouraged about where he is at this point and I think him being on this team by then is certainly realistic for us.”
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