Shaw 'more informed now' on quarantine

TORONTO -- Travis Shaw says he’s much more informed than he was two days ago and apologized Sunday for tweets he’d sent regarding the Blue Jays’ modified quarantine for Summer Camp and potentially beyond.

Shaw’s comments came in reaction to the punishment that Blue Jays players could face from the Canadian federal government for breaking their quarantine, as first reported by TSN’s Scott Mitchell, which included a fine of $750,000 and potential jail time. There seemed to be confusion about whether those rules would stretch into the regular season, if the Blue Jays receive approval to stay in Toronto for those two-plus months, but team meetings on Saturday have helped all involved to get on the same page.

“I was a little bit tone deaf to the situation, and I apologize for that,” Shaw said. “At no point was I saying I’m going to break the rules or we’re going to break the rules. We know as a team that’s not an option and, to get through this season, everybody is going to have to buy in and everybody is going to have to adhere to whatever protocols we’re set under.”

Shaw spoke about the value of getting away from work or taking a walk along the water here in Toronto, but stressed that he will follow the quarantine protocols strictly, regardless of where the Blue Jays end up playing their regular-season games. His message is now in line with what we’ve heard from many of his teammates and the Blue Jays’ front office, which is that health and safety is not just critically important but a competitive advantage.

“Public health and public safety is priority number one,” Shaw said. “Team health and team safety is priority number two. We have to keep everybody in that locker room safe. You can’t be selfish. I’m definitely a little bit more informed now than I was a couple of days ago.”

With Opening Day fast approaching, the Blue Jays hope to have clarity soon on where they’ll be playing their home opener on July 29. Like they did when planning Summer Camp at Rogers Centre, the Blue Jays are speaking with all levels of government and health officials in hopes of making Toronto work.

Toronto is the preference, both for the front office and the players.

“I don’t think anybody wants to play in Dunedin,” Shaw said. “That can be a competitive disadvantage just because of the heat, the weather and the COVID-19 outbreak that’s going on in Florida right now, so the options are pretty limited. Personally, I like playing in Rogers Centre and I always have my whole career.”

Starters lining up
Monday will be our first look at Hyun-Jin Ryu in this camp, as he’s expected to face batters along with Tanner Roark. Other scheduled pitchers include Thomas Hatch, Sean Reid-Foley, Anthony Bass, Thomas Pannone, Justin Miller and A.J. Cole.

Ryu stayed in the Dunedin area for much of the shutdown, so the Blue Jays were still able to see some of his work while following health protocols. With so many unpredictable variables in this 60-game season, the Blue Jays will need some of their more reliable arms -- like Ryu and Roark -- to be exactly that.

Outlook on Austin Martin
There’s no word on when Austin Martin will be arriving in Toronto, thought it’s expected soon after he was added to the 60-man player pool. Although he won’t be in games this year, an early glimpse could offer a hint as to where the Blue Jays plan to use him defensively.

• Getting to know Blue Jays No. 1 pick Martin

Martin can play around the infield or outfield, but things would get really interesting if the Blue Jays try him in center, a position that’s difficult to fill long term on the open market. Regardless, Martin isn’t picky.

“Not at all. I’m just excited to get back on the field,” Martin said this week. “I just want to play baseball, that’s it. I just want to be back on the field, back on the clay. I have no preference.

Camp notes
• Rowdy Tellez hit three home runs in his first two Summer Camp games, then launched another on Sunday in a live BP session against Shun Yamaguchi. This one was a low rocket that crashed into the second-deck seats in right field.

• The big bang of the day came from Derek Fisher, who launched a Jake Petricka pitch deep to right off the facing of the 400 level.

• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was getting plenty of work at first base during live BP sessions, with some infielders throwing him balls in the dirt. Luis Rivera is at his side -- at a safe distance -- through every step of this camp as he works to learn the new position.

• The umpire for Blue Jays intrasquad games and live BP sessions? Triple-A Buffalo manager Ken Huckaby.