Blue Jays' search for a leadoff hitter continues
Hernandez, Pillar, Grichuk could be options atop Toronto's lineup
DUNEDIN, Fla. -- The Blue Jays likely will start the regular season with an unconventional lineup, because the club lacks a traditional leadoff man to hit at the top of the order.
Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo opened Spring Training by suggesting that Devon Travis and Billy McKinney would be his top candidates to hit first. Since then, Travis has gone down with an injury, while McKinney has been pushed for playing time by Teoscar Hernandez.
So what will the Blue Jays do now? Well, it doesn't seem like the club knows how it will handle the situation quite yet. Montoyo was asked about the leadoff spot again on Friday morning, and he mentioned Hernandez, Kevin Pillar and right fielder Randal Grichuk as his other candidates.
"I don't know yet," Montoyo said. "We'll see. It could be anybody. That leadoff guy doesn't have to be a big on-base percentage guy. He can be a guy you want to see at least four at-bats a day for sure. ... It could be anybody. It could be Grichuk, it could be Teoscar. It could be anybody."
The traditional skill set for a leadoff man used to be someone who had speed and hit for a high average. More recently, teams' priorities have changed to someone who draws a lot of walks and posts a high on-base percentage. Toronto doesn't really have anyone who fits into either category.
Pillar (.298), Hernandez (.303) and Grichuk (.298) all have career OBPs well-below average for a leadoff man. Justin Smoak is not a candidate for the top spot and rookie catcher Danny Jansen was a notable omission when Montoyo ran through his list of candidates.
"Whoever is hot might be leading off," Montoyo said. "Give him four at-bats; four chances to do something."
Pompey goes down
Blue Jays outfielder Dalton Pompey was removed from Friday afternoon's game against the Pirates in the top of the first inning, after he fouled a ball off his right knee.
Toronto played a pair of split-squad games vs. Pittsburgh on Friday. Pompey was injured during the road game at Bradenton, where he was batting leadoff. The sudden injury resulted in a very short day at the ballpark.
Pompey, who is competing for the fourth outfielder's job, was scheduled to be evaluated by club officials on Friday afternoon. He is listed as day to day and the Blue Jays are expected to provide a further update on his status on Saturday morning.
Heavy eyes
The Blue Jays' clubhouse will have a bit of a different feel on Saturday morning when a "hypnosis comedian" will be brought in to speak with the team. Montoyo decided to hire the comedian as part of a team-bonding session with the goal of lightening the mood around the team.
Toronto's coaching staff and front office also got together earlier this spring for a night of improv comedy. The sessions might sound a little quirky, and they probably are, but the hope is it brings everyone together a little bit more.
"I want fun," Montoyo said. "Something different. So people can talk about it later and that's team building. I'm looking forward to seeing it. I'll be there. I might be the one getting hypnotized."
Smooth sailing
Marcus Stroman enjoyed a relatively flawless start vs. the Pirates on Friday, as he allowed just one hit over four scoreless innings. Stroman, who was making his third start of the spring, did not walk a batter and struck out three, throwing 32 of his 49 pitches for strikes.
Stroman also was tested in the field, as he made an athletic play at first following a slow chopper to Smoak. Stroman's outing, combined with Sean Reid-Foley's four hitless innings in the other split-squad game vs. Pittsburgh, resulted in an overall positive day on the mound for Toronto.
"Just trying to get my pitch count up and get my work in," Stroman said. "Just part of the process of getting established and ready to go out there, to throw six, seven, eight innings. I feel great, my body is extremely strong and I'm ready to rock."
Smith heads to Baltimore
The Blue Jays finalized a minor trade on Friday evening, sending outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. to the Orioles in exchange for international bonus pool space. Smith was designated for assignment on Tuesday after Toronto signed Buchholz.
Smith was a first-round pick of the Blue Jays in 2011. He appeared in 47 games for the club over the last two seasons, but he did not have a pathway to playing time in a crowded Toronto outfield. The 26-year-old had two home runs and eight RBIs while posting an .833 OPS during his time with the Blue Jays.
As per the 2017-21 Collective Bargaining Agreement, clubs are each subject to a spending cap for amateur international free agents. Each club will have at least a $4.75 million bonus pool to spend, and teams are allowed to acquire an additional 75 percent of their original total. Toronto did not disclose how much of Baltimore's bonus pool it would be receiving.
Up next
Right-hander Matt Shoemaker will make his third start of the spring when the Blue Jays visit the Phillies on Saturday afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET. This is also the game that star outfielder Bryce Harper is expected to make his debut for the Phillies.
Gregor Chisholm has covered the Blue Jays for MLB.com since 2011. Follow him on Twitter @gregorMLB and Facebook.