Buffalo a familiar home for some Blue Jays

Now that the Blue Jays have a home for 2020 in Buffalo, they’re looking forward to talking about something else. Anything else, really.

So much focus has been on the where, following the Canadian and Pennsylvania governments denying the Blue Jays before they settled on Buffalo. With that now taken care of, they are focused on how they’ll make it work on the field.

“I’m excited we finally have a place to play. We’re done with that,” said manager Charlie Montoyo. “Let’s focus on the Rays today and focus on the schedule. That’s how everybody feels in there. We’re excited. Now we know.”

Montoyo’s focus now shifts to helping his players create a sense of routine in Buffalo and on the road. Depending on how quickly the Blue Jays are able to renovate Sahlen Field to meet their competitive needs and to allow for physical distancing, their home opener will come on either July 31 or Aug. 11.

Many on this young Blue Jays roster aren’t far removed from the Minor League life, so that shouldn’t be too jarring an adjustment. Most of those players have come up through the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, too, so it will be a familiar “new” home.

“It’s pretty normal for me,” said Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who put up a 1.013 OPS over 39 games with the Bisons. “I’ve played there before and I know the field. We’ll just go there and do what we’re going to do, play hard and try to win some games there.”

The playing surface in Buffalo tends to get positive reviews from infielders, and it’s the right time of year to be playing in Buffalo, with the cold weather from the early months of the season now long gone. Early reviews from those who have played at Sahlen Field tend to agree that it’s a “fair” field, meaning that it won’t cause a drastic uptick in home runs, but Guerrero offered up a scouting report of his own.

“I think it’s going to be an advantage, actually, for our pitching,” Guerrero said. “It’s a big field. I bet it’s a bigger field than our one in Toronto. I think that will be the difference.”

Blue Jays wearing Black Lives Matter shirts
Prior to Friday’s opener, both Guerrero and Montoyo spoke to the media wearing a Black Lives Matter shirt, which the Blue Jays also wore onto the field for their pregame warmups.

Guerrero recently sat down with teammate Anthony Alford to discuss his experiences facing racism as a Black man, which left an impact on Guerrero. He then spoke with his own family about wearing the shirt and addressing the issue.

“He’s very hurt inside for what’s happening right now,” Guerrero said. “It’s the reality of things that are happening right now for people with our colour.”

Montoyo offered similar thoughts, referencing other efforts such as Jackie Robinson Day and Roberto Clemente Day as he reflected on the challenges Black and Latin players have faced.

“I’m supporting Anthony Alford here today, and so many others that I know,” Montoyo said.

Nate’s latest
The most talked-about Blue Jays player still isn’t on the roster, but Montoyo said that No. 1 prospect Nate Pearson took the news well and will be coming to a TV near you very soon.

“When Nate found out that he was going to be on the taxi squad, he was excited,” Montoyo said. “Big smile. He’s part of our future and you’re going to see him pitch soon.”

Extras
• Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (left side discomfort) is feeling better and could be used in an emergency on Friday, but Montoyo is targeting Saturday for his return.

• The Blue Jays’ Sunday starter will be announced Saturday, prior to the second game of the series.

• The Blue Jays' starters came out of Summer Camp built up well, but they will all start the season with inning and pitch limits.

Up next
Matt Shoemaker takes the mound for the Blue Jays in the second game of their season on Saturday at Tropicana Field against the Rays, with first pitch scheduled for 3:10 p.m. ET. Few players in baseball will be as eager as Shoemaker to make their 2020 debut after the veteran right-hander missed nearly all of '19 with a torn ACL in his left knee after enjoying an excellent April. Watch the game live on MLB.TV.