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5 things to watch for this Blue Jays season

Toronto Blue Jays' Roberto Osuna and catcher Dioner Navarro embrace as the Blue Jays celebrate on the field after winning Game 5 over the Texas Rangers in American League Division Series baseball action in Toronto on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015. Chris Young/The Canadian Press

TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays open the regular season on Sunday. Here are five things to watch with the Blue Jays this season:

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Toronto Blue Jays pitcher J.A. Happ throws during first inning action against the Baltimore Orioles at spring training in Dunedin, FLa., on Friday, March 4, 2016. Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press

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.

Construction workers hammer out concrete as they install the new dirt infield for the Toronto Blue Jays upcoming season at the Rogers Centre in Toronto on Wednesday, February 10, 2016. Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press

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.

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Roberto Osuna throws against the Kansas City Royals during the eighth inning in Game 6 of baseball’s American League Championship Series on Friday, Oct. 23, 2015, in Kansas City, Mo. AP Photo/Matt Slocum

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.

Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis fields a ball hit by Kansas City Royals’ Mike Moustakas during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, July 11, 2015. AP Photo/Orlin Wagner

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.

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman works out at the team’s spring training ballpark in Dunedin, Florida on Friday February 19, 2016. Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press

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.

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