Smooth sailing for Sanchez vs. Phillies

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Aaron Sanchez knows all too well that he has no shortage of critics after a pair of lost seasons to injuries. He just doesn't care because his priorities are elsewhere.

Sanchez is throwing free and easy this spring after being plagued by finger issues each of the last two years. The body of work isn't there, but the talent clearly is, with a blistering sinker that sat around 95 mph in Wednesday's 9-7 victory over Philadelphia at Dunedin Stadium.

The external expectations are arguably lower for Sanchez now than they have been at any point of his career. That's what happens when blisters and tendon issues limit a starter to 141 innings over two years, but the 26-year-old has a clear message to anyone who has jumped off the bandwagon.

"They'll be back on the saddle," Sanchez said on Wednesday afternoon. "It's alright. They'll come watch me and be right back where they were two years ago. For me, it is what it is. Like I said before, just because I haven't been here, doesn't mean I left.

"Whoever was on that train, or whoever did want to doubt me, let it be. I can't control somebody else's thoughts -- all I can control is going out there and doing my thing. If you're watching, you're seeing."

The Grapefruit League season has been smooth sailing so far through two starts for Sanchez, including Wednesday against the Phillies. For the second consecutive outing, Sanchez faced the minimum through two innings, but this time he got into some trouble in the third.

Sanchez opened the third by getting Lane Adams to pop out. The Toronto right-hander then issued a pair of walks and a single to three of the next four hitters before he was pulled. Afterwards, Sanchez attributed part of those issues to the Blue Jays' five-run second, which took more than 20 minutes to play.

"I got back out there and things just kind of tightened up," Sanchez said. "It wasn't even a bad inning, really. My velocity was down but I had two chances to get out [of] there with double plays. It is what it is; it's Spring Training for a reason."

Norris deal official
The Blue Jays officially announced the signing of right-hander Bud Norris to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training on Wednesday afternoon. Norris agreed to terms late last week but he had to pass a physical before the deal became official.

Norris is expected to crack the roster as a set-up man for closer Ken Giles. The 34-year-old posted a 3.59 ERA while recording 28 saves in 33 opportunities for the Cardinals last season. Norris got into some hot water earlier in his career for making a comment about "America's Game" and how foreign players sometimes have antics on the field that "we don't necessarily agree with."

Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo is aware of the previous comments but said it's not something he needs to talk to Norris about. Instead, he'll give the new reliever a chance to make his own first impression.

"From experience, I'm going to make my own opinions," Montoyo said. "I don't know the guy, so when I get to know him, then I'll tell you. But I don't know the guy, so I'm going to make my own opinion. I don't go by what anyone else says."

Worth mentioning
• A pair of Blue Jays prospects showed off their power during Wednesday's victory over the Phillies. Second baseman/outfielder Cavan Biggio hit a deep shot to right-center field in the bottom of the second for his first home run of the spring. Later in the second, Anthony Alford added an opposite-field homer to right for his first of the spring. The two are ranked No. 10 and No. 11, respectively, by MLB Pipeline among the team's top prospects, though neither player is expected to factor into Toronto's plans for Opening Day.

• Rule 5 pick Elvis Luciano had his first rough outing of the spring on Wednesday. Luciano entered in the sixth and struck out the first batter he faced before the issues began. The 19-year-old allowed a pair of singles, walked two and threw two wild pitches while surrendering four earned runs. Luciano is competing for one of the final spots in Toronto's bullpen.

Up next
Left-hander Clayton Richard will make his first start of the spring when the Blue Jays visit the Rays on Thursday afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET. Richard made one appearance with two scoreless innings out of the bullpen earlier this spring. Justin Smoak, Kendrys Morales, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Teoscar Hernandez and the club's No. 2 prospect, Bo Bichette, are among the position players scheduled to make the trip.