The boys are back; Blue Jays open Grapefruit League season Saturday afternoon
Posted March 3, 2012 12:06 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
After an off-season full of optimism and featuring the revelation of brand new uniforms, the Toronto Blue Jays are set to play baseball again.
The Jays will open their Grapefruit League season when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday afternoon.
Manager John Farrell is expected to use his starting lineup with each hitter receiving about three at-bats.
Brett Cecil will start for Toronto but is only expected to throw one inning. The left-hander is expected to start the season as Toronto’s third starter.
Once considered a top Jays’ prospect, Cecil is hoping to improve on a disappointing season last year where he managed an unimpressive 4-11. The previous season he won 15 games.
After undertaking a rigorous off-season training program Cecil hopes the weight he has lost will help improve his velocity and improve his overall game.
Cecil will likely be followed by Kyle Drabek and other notable names to get into the game should include Luis Perez, Joel Carreno and Scott Richmond.
While the team’s opening lineup appears to be mostly set, Eric Thames and Travis Snider are expected to compete for the starting job in left field.
It currently appears that Thames is the favourite for the job, but management has made it clear he’ll still have to earn it.
The Blue Jays open their regular season in Cleveland on April 5 against the Indians.
