MARCH 7, 2021•JAYSJOURNAL.COM
Blue Jays: How Vlad Guerrero Jr. at third lengthens the lineupWhile I'm not a fan of the idea of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. becoming a full-time third baseman again, there is definitely value to having him p...
Blue Jays vs. Tigers Preview | 03/07/21The Official Site of Major League Baseball
MARCH 7, 2021•MLB.COM
Expects to be ready for Opening DayRealmuto (thumb) still expects to be ready to play on Opening Day, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
ImpactRealmuto's cast on his fractured thumb was removed Friday. He hasn't been able to hit and throw since he suffered the injury, which occurred when he tried to block a pitch in the dirt a few days before camp officially opened, but he's been able to take part in some simulated action. Whether or not his optimism is shared by the team remains to be seen, but it sounds as if any absence to start the year will likely be a brief one. If he does wind up heading to the injured list, Andrew Knapp would step into a temporary starting role.
MARCH 7, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Looking to regain velocityRoark averaged 89.1 mph with his sinker during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
ImpactA loss of velocity and effectiveness on his two-seamer was a big part of his 2020 struggles, and Roark has made it a priority to avoid a repeat performance. "I just think it got smacked around a little too much last year," Roark said Saturday. "It wasn't moving as much. It was moving very little. Now that I have better feel this year coming into Spring Training and games, I feel like there's no reason I can't have it come back, because I used to have it." His sinker averaged 92.1 mph as recently as 2019, and the right-hander feels he can at least restore the pitch to that level. Roark also changed up his diet in the offseason and lost 10 pounds in an effort to improve his overall fitness. The 34-year-old doesn't have the strikeout upside to be a true fantasy asset, but he could be able to offer some reliable innings in deep formats, especially if the Jays' offense can reward him with wins when he does provide some length.
MARCH 7, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Blue Jays: Tanner Roark on a Short Leash in 2021No Blue Jays player took as much of a beating from critics in 2020 like Tanner Roark, and some of it may have been deserved. GM Ross Atkins...
MARCH 7, 2021•JAYSJOURNAL.COM
Toronto Blue Jays: Tony Fernandez house robbed, destroyedIt was just over a year ago that Tony Fernandez had passed away. His loss left a major void in the Toronto Blue Jays family, as he was one o...
MARCH 7, 2021•CALLTOTHEPEN.COM
Phillies news & notes: Andrew Knapp's value, Héctor Neris' new pitch, Bowa barbsPhillies news and notes on J.T. Realmuto's recovery from a broken thumb, Andrew Knapp's value, Héctor Neris' slider, Larry Bowa and more.
MARCH 7, 2021•THEATHLETIC.COM
