7:35 PM Eastern
Today was an off-day in Blue Jay-land, save for A.J. Jimenez, Darin Mastroianni, Kenny Wilson, Jake Marisnick and KC Hobson. As well as Alex Anthopoulos, Tony LaCava, Mel Didier, Cito Gaston, Bruce Walton, Nick Leyva, George Poulis and Jon Lalonde. Oh, and some right-handed pitcher.
Dustin McGowan, of course, was the reason that everybody was at the Bobby Mattick complex on a day off, pitching in a “game” for the first time since July of 2008. McGowan is trying to come back from surgery to debride his labrum and repair a torn rotator cuff, and he has hit several bumps along the way (including having to have knee surgery last July). His diabetes doesn’t help the situation, either, slowing the overall healing process, and the outlook was so grim not even six months ago that the word was McGowan would be lucky to ever pitch in the majors again.
That’s not the word anymore.
McGowan threw a two “inning”, 30-pitch simulated game, facing a total of seven hitters and throwing 15 balls and 15 strikes. It was a controlled environment, which meant that he was only going to throw 15 pitches, regardless of the result, then sit down for about seven minutes (with NO entertainment for the gathered assemblage in the interim – harumph), then throw another 15 pitches. As a result, only three outs were recorded, and two at-bats were left unresolved. Time of the game was 17 minutes.
McGowan pitched to a full count on Mastroianni, the first batter he faced, and Mastroianni then just walked back to the dugout. Wilson followed and inside-outed a 2-1 pitch the other way for what would have been a clean single to left had there been anybody on the field behind McGowan. With a runner “on” (Wilson was actually sitting in the dugout), McGowan went to the stretch and got what would have been a slow groundout to third from Marisnick on a 1-1 pitch. He then got ahead of Hobson 1-2, at which point the first inning ended.
In the second, Dave Stieb went out to play second base.
Hobson led off the second, and McGowan struck him out swinging on four pitches, then got ahead of Marisnick with a really nice first-pitch curveball (I think- might have been a slider), but followed with four straight balls. Pitching from the stretch again, McGowan ran the count full to Wilson, then struck him out looking to end the inning.
The Jays didn’t have a radar gun on McGowan, doctor’s orders and all, so all of us assembled reporters decided that McGowan’s fastball was sitting somewhere between 87 and 103 miles an hour.
Really, though, the results don’t matter. I only threw them in there because I thought you might like to know. What does matter is the fact that McGowan looked good and felt better. There were smiles all over after the “game” was over – McGowan saying he was thrilled and felt great, Alex Anthopoulos saying that if McGowan continued to be pain-free and to go out and throw like he did today, there was no reason to think that he wouldn’t be able to be a significant contributor this season.
If McGowan is still pain-free tomorrow and Thursday, he’ll throw another simulated game on Sunday or Monday, and if all goes well then, he’ll start getting into some Grapefruit League games.
Obviously, this is fantastic news for the Blue Jays – a healthy, back-to-normal McGowan gives the Jays two potential top-of-the-rotation guys (along with Brandon Morrow), and he’s still young, turning 28 in two weeks. McGowan’s being out of options is a problem for the Jays, which is why he’ll likely start the season on the disabled list while he continues to get stretched out, either in Vegas or in extended spring. Again, though, this is like found money for the Jays, who expected nothing from McGowan and might now have themselves another strong rotation piece for a few years to come.
It’s obviously very early, and setbacks are always possible, especially for a guy who has seemingly had so many over the past couple of years, but it’s awfully hard not to be optimistic right about now.
Also, I should mention that I ran into Sal Fasano between innings. He’ll be managing the Jays’ low-A affiliate in Lansing, Michigan as he starts what’s likely to be a very successful coaching career that I’m assuming will get him to the big leagues in the next few years. It was great to see him, his young son (who needed open-heart surgery twice as a newborn) is doing very, very well, which is incredible news. I’m a huge Fasano fan, one of my all-time favourite people I have met in this gig, and wish him nothing but the best. I’m really hoping he winds up on the Jays’ big-league coaching staff when the post-Cito era begins in October.
Tomorrow – a morning “B” game against the Phillies features work from Morrow and probably Brett Cecil as well, making his first appearance of the spring. Then the real fake game at Dunedin Stadium, Lance Broadway will start for the Jays because, ummm, yeah.
Rational, reasonable comments are always welcome!
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Mike,
I know you have been away at the Olympics but a few major American websites are reporting that Bud is starting to seriously consider the concept of divisional realignment.
My question to you is simple: Being around the Jays as often as you are, do you have any idea if the club would be in favour of realignment (for competitive reasons)?
Or is the financial windfall that comes with the Sox/Yankees invading Toronto too much to ignore?
Personally I think a balanced schedule would go a long way towards solving these problems. At least until the day comes that Rogers opens up the wallet and makes us a big market club again.
Any ideas to which way the organization is leaning?
Thanks,
MW: If they’re not in favour of realignment (or at least balancing the schedule) then they need to have their collective head examined. The financial windfall by the three extra games each out of the Red Sox and Yankees would be easily replaced by the financial windfall of the increased attendance from being in a playoff race in August and September, would it not?
- JWHi Mike- Glad to have you posting again. I just flew home to Ottawa from Tampa, (back from my first trip Dunedin for fake games.) We had a good time, but man, I hear you about the scenery. The only thing consistently open for business were attorney’s offices, dog grooming joints, dojos and pawn shops.
- ChrisI hope FLA can pull it together. The people were great, and the Jays are killing it… I’ll take any small victories as a 2010 Jays fan.
I’m a huge Sal fan too. What’s the actual likelihood of Sal coaching for the Jays at some point?
MW: I hope it’s pretty high, I don’t see why it wouldn’t be.
- andrewHey Mike
Just wondering about your opinion on Marisnick and Hobson?
And any idea where they’ll start the year?
MW: I think they’re both awfully good young players, but I don’t know where they’ll start the season. They’re fresh out of high school, so how about the Gulf Coast League?
- LukaMike,
1. Just how good could a Marcum/Romero/Morrow/Rzep/Mcgowan rotation be for 2010? If they all stay healthy, and are at or near their best, this could end up being an interesting season, to say the least. I think a healthy Marcum and McGowan tandem almost completely changes the outlook for the season. Your thoughts on the above rotation, and what we could hope for from them if healthy?
2. Why start Broadway in the A game, and the other, more important pitchers in a B game? Makes no sense to me. Backwards, actually. Morrow and Cecil especially need the ML innings, no?
3. Who, in your opinion, would win a 50M race tomorrow: Gathright or McCoy? I only ask because I think McCoy brings more to the bench than Gathright. Comparable [?] speed, better eye, more positional flexibility, higher “upside” all around. What do you think of McCoy vs. Gathright for the 25th spot, now that you have seen McCoy play?
4. Is Encarnacion OK, and will his wrist be a continuing issue? Wrist injuries sap power and batting ability, so, will he be used if he isn’t at 100%, or could Hoffpauir or McCoy get the call? Or will Cito “go with the vets” and put Bautista at 3B with a possible OF of Gathright/VW/Reed [ugh.]
It’s good to have you back to the blog!
Thanks!
MW: 1 – I think that has the chance to be a fantastic rotation. If Romero continues to develop that change-up and Morrow learns to throw strikes, there are three potential number ones in there. 2 – I don’t think it matters where you get your innings, they faced a lot of the same guys in both games anyway. I don’t understand why they did it that way, though. 3 – I think there’s a chance they both make it, but I definitely think Gathright is faster. 4 – The latter is more likely. I don’t know how Encarnacion is, I expected him to be playing this week but that hasn’t happened.
- andy mcHey Mike,
All of this news about McGowan is very exciting. Last year all we were hearing that we would be lucky to see him ever pitch again and now it looks like he could be a month away from pitching in the majors. If by mid-April the starting rotation can consist of Marcum, Romero, Morrow, McGowan and one of Rzepczynski/Cecil/…? I’ve got faith they can do a good job this year.
I think the bullpen is a really interesting situation though… I’m particularly interested in how Dana Eveland may fit into the mix. Right now the bullpen seems pretty crowded… If you assume that there’s no need for Tallet in the rotation given a health McGowan, in the bullpen you most likely have: Tallet, Camp, Carlson, Gregg, Frasor, Downs.. and I’ve gotta say Accardo. Eveland definitely had a rough 2009, but I believe he’s got more major league experience than all the remaining pitchers on the 40-man roster, and so far it looks like the Jays are trying to give him a good look giving him 5 innings of work so far, and looking at the numbers – so far so good. What’s your take on Eveland, Mike?
MW: I don’t think Eveland makes the team if everyone is healthy. I think that he’s an insurance policy to prevent them from having to push one of the young guys up in an emergency.
- SteveMike,
I heard Pat Hentgen on the Fan with Mike Hogan, and he sounded very optimistic about the Jays’ pitching. Also, you said Stieb is down there as well.
Are these former Jays Aces teaching the young guys some things, or are they just observing? Could they be a big help if employed as coaches? I think they could only help, maybe take over that “quiet” mentor role that halladay provided, and even add an active coaching presence over the season as advisor/coaches.
Do any teams employ former stars in this way, past ST?
MW: They’re here as guest coaches, and they talk to the guys all the time. Lots of teams use ex-players like that after Spring Training, mostly roving around the minor leagues.
- andy mcHi Mike,
Great to see you back doing the blog. Isn’t it great to have baseball back? I did not know how much I missed it until I saw the Bosox/Orioles game on Sportsnet the other day. The greatest game.
Anyway, my questions is about Brian Dopirak. Any chance he makes this club? If so, what scenerio’s do you see him making it, and if not is he out of options? Its too bad we have so many good options for first base. I like Ruiz better but do you see them trading Overbay to make room for both Ruiz and Dopirak on the roster?
As well, from what you have seen so far and all the chatter you hear there, who do you see being the surprises pitching wise and position player wise coming out of camp so far?
Cheers from Fredericton
- David SomervilleIs there any talk of dustin moving to a bullpen role for this season? With all of his health issues, wouldn’t he have a better chance of staying healthy and getting back to form by spending 2010 making shorter outings?
- darrenHe also strikes me as the kind of guy who could power up for a relief appearance and be very effective.
Thoughts?
Hey Mike,
I heard some rumblings (not sure where) in the past that Brad Arnsberg was (partially) to blame for the rash of injuries to the Blue Jays pitchers (well, the arm related injuries anyway), due to the technique that he was teaching. Do you agree with that notion?
MW: Nope.
- Wayne in ScarboroughCouldn’t ALL the matchups in spring training be classified as “simulated games”? Kidding, kidding. Great news about McGowan, and Jays fans are all following it closely. Thanks for that writeup.
This is probably over-analyzing things, but is it possible that holding something resembling a competition for the outfield spots has lit a fire under Jose Bautista? He’s had a solid spring so far, but he had a terrific September last year, and I wonder whether he maybe takes it a bit personally that the team thought it necessary to bring in the likes of Joey Gathright and Jeremy Reed and give them a shot at an opening day spot. His versatility and production (at least against lefties) merits at least a platoon gig somewhere on the diamond, whereas Gathright and Reed haven’t shown anything like that in the past couple of seasons. They’re good organizational-depth-type signings, but that’s all.
MW: I don’t think that’s the case with Bautista. If it was, why wasn’t that fire lit previously in his big-league career? He’s always had to fight for playing time, it’s not as though he’s ever been handed a job.
- mike from ottawaHey Mike,
I was wondering if you get a chance in an interview with AA to ask him why Dopirak never got the call last September…. Or if you already have heard his answer to this, if you could share it with us..
Seems kind of weird in hindsight, if they want him to compete for a major league spot, then why they didn’t give him a taste last September?
MW: Cito had enough trouble finding at-bats for Randy Ruiz last September. Where were they going to use Dopirak?
- Stevie H.“…somewhere between 87 and 103 miles an hour…”
Ah, I’ve missed you Mr. Wilner! I’m quite jealous of your Olympic experience (and of your job) but despite that I’m looking forward to another season on the ol’ blog. I’ll thank you in advance now, just in case I forget to do so throughout the season.
My offer to vet the comments for grammar and legibility (for free) still stands!
MW: I appreciate that.
- James (from the Church of the Double Steal)I don’t understand your Dave Stieb joke- please elaborate.
MW: It wasn’t a joke.
- DanIf this guy stays healthy he has a good chance to be a 1,2 starter by July. I hope Bruce Walton has better luck than brad Arnsperger. I dont know what our previous pitching coach was doing but we sure wrecked a lot of promising arms. I wonder what our injury stats are compared to other major league teams?
MW: They were on the high end, but there were several other teams with the same number of pitching injuries. I’d be interested to see how you could prove that Arnsberg’s approach wrecked a lot of promising arms.
- mikeGHey Mike do they use real umpires during simulated games? Also good to have the update on my pal Sal. Does he still have the killer handlebar stache going on?
MW: He does. And no, there are no umpires in simulated games.
- Matt in BCJust out of curiousity, are you saying that Morrow is the other top of the rotation guy? Or is it one of Marcum/Romero?
MW: It could be any of the three, but stuff-wise, it’s Morrow.
- Matthew in Burlington