TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays open the regular season on Sunday. Here are five things to watch with the Blue Jays this season:
HIGH HOPES FOR HAPP: Toronto reacquired J.A. Happ by signing him to a three-year, $36 million contract in November, hoping he’ll continue to be the pitcher who went 7-2 with a 1.85 ERA in 11 starts for playoff-bound Pittsburgh following a July 31 trade last season. However, six of those seven wins came against teams with losing records, including two each against last-place finishers Cincinnati and Colorado. Happ, who previously pitched for the Blue Jays from 2012 to 2014, has a career 23-26 record in the AL.
INFIELD SHIFT: For the first time, the Blue Jays will play home games on a dirt infield. Work began in February to excavate 12,000 square feet of concrete from Rogers Centre, and the infield and baselines were filled with 12 inches of gravel, sand and clay. Toronto’s had been the only stadium in the majors without a dirt infield. It remains one of two, the other being Tampa Bay, that still has an artificial surface.
OSUNA MATATA: Roberto Osuna, who saved 20 games as a rookie in 2015 despite never having pitched above Class-A, beat out Drew Storen to claim the closer’s role. Storen, acquired in an off-season trade with Washington, and the left-handed Brett Cecil will be Toronto’s primary set-up men.
A SECOND OPTION: Almost forgotten in Toronto’s post-deadline surge last season was rookie second baseman Devon Travis, who hit .305 with eight homers and 35 RBIs in 62 games but didn’t play again after July 28 because of an injured left shoulder that required off-season surgery and will keep him out until at least May. Once healthy, he’ll give the Blue Jays an alternative to defensive whiz Ryan Goins, and could reclaim the leadoff role he excelled in last season.
MENTAL AND PHYSICAL EDGE: Over the off-season, the Blue Jays hired sports psychologist Angus Mugford to be their first-ever director of high performance. They also hired therapist Nikki Huffman, one of the Duke University trainers who helped Marcus Stroman make an accelerated return from a torn knee ligament last season.