The Jays have yet to announce who will start the first game of the season — April 8 vs. the Texas Rangers at the Rogers Centre — but Berríos is already lined up to make the outing.
Against Baltimore, Berríos threw 27 pitches while getting just two outs in the first inning — which led Jays manager Charlie Montoyo to take advantage of a quirky spring rule that allows teams to remove a pitcher in the middle of a frame, only to return in the next. Berríos did just that and retired two more batters before calling it a day.
Against left-handed pitching, Montoyo would likely use it to make sure all four outfielders — Lourdes Gurriel Jr., George Springer, Teoscar Hernández and Randal Grichuk —are in the starting lineup. Against righties, it could be Cavan Biggio or maybe even minor-league signing Greg Bird. The lack of a primary DH does come with additional benefits, such as giving Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and other regulars a day off defensively while keeping their bat in the lineup.
“I use it as a way to give someone half a day off,” Montoyo said. “You’ll see Vladdy DH, Springer, Teo, Gurriel — you’ll see them all DH. I like keeping that spot open, so I can rotate guys through it.” Bird will have a few weeks to make his case to be included. He got off to a good start on Friday with an RBI double that scored Bo Bichette, and added a walk.Sportsnet apparently grew tired of fans griping about the lack of spring training broadcasts and decided to do something about it. The network announced Friday morning that it will televise 16 Grapefruit League games, including two this weekend against the Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates.
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