ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Dalton Pompey has encountered his share of injuries in recent years — concussions that impacted him for months at a time, a significant knee issue and even a wrist sprain this spring.
And yet the biggest differences Pompey sees between the 21-year-old version of himself who debuted in 2014 and the 25-year-old summoned back to the big leagues Friday are mental rather than physical.
“With the injuries that was probably the hardest thing,” Pompey said. “If you’re not playing so well, it’s easy to get over that and move forward from that eventually, but when you can’t really do anything about a concussion and your knee’s bothering you and speed’s part of your game, how do I overcome that? That, mentally, was really hard for me.”
To handle that adversity better, he reached out to some teammates, including Devon Travis, no stranger to the disabled list himself. The advice Travis offered stuck with Pompey: stay in the moment and enjoy yourself instead of worrying about what might happen next. So as Pompey sat down to address the media ahead of the Blue Jays’ series opener at Tropicana Field, he tried to do just that.
“Any time you get called to the big leagues, it’s always a good feeling,” he said. “Whether it’s my first time, which was actually here, or today. It feels the same. I’m excited, and just ready to get going.”
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Pompey got going sooner than anticipated Friday, entering the game when right hamstring tightness forced Curtis Granderson from the game after
one at bat. A single in Pompey’s first trip to the plate offered a reminder of the promise that once landed him on top prospects lists.
“We’ve always thought highly of him,” manager John Gibbons said. “It’s been a tough road for him — a lot of injuries — but in the time he’s been with us he’s does a lot of good things, too.”
If Granderson’s healthy, Pompey would provide the Blue Jays with an alternative against tough left-handers, much in the way that Steve Pearce did before the club placed him on the disabled list. Pompey’s speed makes him a threat on the bases, as he showed with four steals during the 2015 playoffs. But at this point, he’s trying not to dwell on how he fares in any one game.
“Whatever the results are, they are,” he said. “I put in the work. I know I’m a talented guy, so it’s just a matter of time before it comes out.”
Granderson left as a precautionary measure, but if he needs time to recover in the coming days, Pompey could see more playing time than initially anticipated, especially since Pearce and Randal Grichuk are now sidelined. Pompey played all three outfield positions at triple-A, and has played left and centre in the majors, allowing Gibbons to move him around if needed.
Welcome back to the big leagues Dalton Pompey
Watch Jays and Rays on https://t.co/WK1t6wFnXg. pic.twitter.com/ufX3potEH7
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 4, 2018
Pompey wasn’t the only new addition to the roster Friday, as the club also promoted infielder Richard Urena and added right-handed reliever Jake Petricka to the 40-man roster. Joe Biagini, Carlos Ramirez and Dwight Smith Jr. were optioned in corresponding moves, while Luis Santos designated for assignment.
To some extent, the Blue Jays simply needed a fresh arm after taxing their bullpen heavily during Thursday’s double-header. Santos and Ramirez pitched poorly in the nightcap, creating an opportunity for Petricka.
The 29-year-old was a trusted reliever for the White Sox from 2014-15 before hip, lat and elbow injuries sidelined him for most of the 2016-17 seasons. Over eight innings with the triple-A Buffalo Bisons, he had six strikeouts compared to two walks and seven hits.
“He’s got some experience,” Gibbons said. “That’s huge. You can’t always (count on) that, because the initial shock of the big leagues is behind you.”
More moves are coming for the Blue Jays, with Justin Smoak slated to return from the paternity list Sunday. Until then, Kendrys Morales sits atop the first-base depth chart with Yangervis Solarte, Josh Donaldson and even Luke Maile available as alternatives if needed.
The grind of the schedule has led to inevitable roster churn for the Blue Jays, and those on the margins don’t have assurances of sticking around for long. Pompey could be here for the weekend or maybe for much longer. All the more reason to keep Travis’s advice in mind.
“Just stay in the present moment,” Pompey said. “Don’t look too far ahead and don’t look back at what was. Just stay in the present. I’ve been doing that and I don’t really try to look back as much as I try to just stay where I am right now. I’m here, I’m in Tampa, I’m enjoying my time.”
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