(Dunedin) Feelings of optimism, joy and excitement were rampant Monday at the Toronto Blue Jays’ player development complex as about 20 players began spring training ahead of the 2023 season.
With light winds gently swaying the tops of the palm trees on a glorious mid-February morning, the mood was as breezy as the favorable conditions in Florida for the first day of the initial leg of camp.
Distractions seemed virtually non-existent, a welcome change from this time last year, when Major League Baseball was mired in a lockout and COVID-19 protocols were still front and center.
With the sweeping pain they suffered in the first round of the playoffs now gone, the Blue Jays trained under blue skies and bright sunshine with a clean slate for 2023.
“It’s been hectic and busy, but (I’m) exactly where I want to be,” said head coach John Schneider. “I’m excited to start. »
PHOTO NATHAN DENETTE, THE CANADIAN PRESS
John Schneider
Pitchers and catchers kept busy in one area of the gigantic complex during the morning session. Other players made a few contacts in the batting cages or took turns the ball softly in the outfield.
The camp seemed devoid of all the nuisances of the preseason – injury problems, trade requests, positional problems, among others – which can sometimes hover during the spring training period.
“We have a fairly established team, I think,” Schneider said. There’s going to be competition for a few places and we want to start looking at those future fights. We just want to see how the guys play together too and how they fit together. Building from the last month of the season last year and continuing this year, and seeing how they come together as a team, I think is important at this time of year too. »
Kevin Kiermaier, Chris Bassitt, Daulton Varsho and Brandon Belt are among the main additions. Teoscar Hernandez, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Ross Stripling and Gabriel Moreno left the team.
For now, the focus is on preparing for the February 25 Pamplemousses League opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and possibly the regular season opener on March 30 in St. Louis.
However, the schedule is slightly different for some players this year with the World Baseball Classic next month. Four Blue Jays regulars are expected to play in the tournament.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and reliever Yimi Garcia will play for the Dominican Republic, right-hander Jose Berrios will play for Puerto Rico and receiver Alejandro Kirk will play for Mexico.
Otto Lopez and Damiano Palmegiani, two minor league infielders, will wear the colors of Canada.
