Blue Jays Spring Battles: Last two RHP in the bullpen

A few days ago we took a look at how the battle to be the second lefty in the Blue Jays bullpen was going, So I figured we ought to check out the battle for the last two right-handed spots in the pen.

There are three sure things. Barring injury Roberto Osuna, Jason Grilli and Joe Smith have their spots locked down. In my mind, that leaves two spots up for grabs.

The possibles:

• Joe Biagini: He has pitched in 5 games, starting 2. In 9.1 innings, he’s allowed 7 hits, 1 earned run (but 4 unearned runs), 1 home run, 4 walks with 7 strikeouts. Originally, I figured he was more likely to be sent to Buffalo to start, to be ready to fill in when we need a 6th starter. But with Sparkman’s injury and Mat Latos’ poor showing, I think Biagini has a better shot at being the long man in the pen. He should be able to pitch 2 or 3 innings at a go.
• Ryan Tepera: He has pitched in 6 games. In 6.1 innings, he’s allowed 6 hits, 2 earned (1 unearned), 1 home run, 2 walks and 5 strikeouts. Unfortunately for Ryan, he has options, so he’s likely to be on the Buffalo/Toronto shuttle.
• Mike Bolsinger: He has pitched in 6 games, 1 start. He’s thrown 8.2 innings, allowed 8 hits, 3 earned, 1 home run, 5 walks, with 11 strikeouts. 11 strikeouts in 8.2 innings is nice to see. The 5 walks isn’t so nice. His first outing was pretty terrible, and I thought he had pitched his way off the team, but he’s looked good since. He is out of options, so he would have to clear waivers if he doesn’t make the team. I have doubts anyone would pick him up. If the Jays wanted Biagini to start in Buffalo, Bolsinger would have a good shot at the long man job.
• Danny Barnes: He has pitched in 6 games. In 4.2 innings, he’s allowed 4 hits, 3 earned, 2 walks with 3 strikeouts. A good spring would have given him a shot a job. But, he hasn’t been great and he has options. He’ll be on the Buffalo/Toronto shuttle.
• Bo Schultz: He has pitched in 6 game. In 5.1 innings, he’s allowed 9 hits, 4 earned (3 unearned), 1 home run, 1 walk and 3 strikeouts. Schultz is out of options and Wilner keep saying he’s been unlucky, but he is a pitcher that, even though he throws hard, he doesn’t get many strikeouts, he doesn’t miss many bats. Yeah, he would have to clear waivers, but I have doubts anyone would pick him up and I don’t know that we’d shed a lot of tears if someone did.
• Mat Latos: He has pitched in 5 games, 2 starts. In 11.2 innings, he’s allowed 8 hits, 9 earned, 4 home runs, 7 walks and 9 strikeouts. 4 home runs in 11.2 innings. He had a shot at the long man job, but he hasn’t earned it. He has said he’s willing to pitch in Buffalo, and he likely will.
• Leonel Campos: He’s pitched in 8 games. In 7 innings, he’s allowed 5 hits, 3 earned, 4 walks, with 10 strikeouts. Gotta like 10 strikeouts in 7 innings. A minor league signing, he has very little chance of making the team, but showing well would help move him up on the list of pitchers who could come up if needed. And he has shown well.
• Chris Smith: He has pitched in 5 games. In 4.2 innings, he’s allowed 5 hits, 2 earned (1 unearned), 1 home run, 4 walks and 5 strikeouts. He’s always been a long shot, and hasn’t done much to improve his chances.
• Casey Lawrence: He has pitched in 6 games, 3 starts. In 11.1 innings, he’s allowed 10 hits, 5 earned, 1 home run, 7 walks with 8 strikeouts. Gibby has said nice things about him, but he’s going to end up in Buffalo. He looked good early in camp, but his last outing was rough.
• Dominic Leone: He has pitched in 7 games. In 7.1 innings, he’s allowed 7 hits, 4 earned (1 unearned), 3 walks with 11 strikeouts. Another minor league signing. Another who was a long shot to make the team, but I like an 11 to 3 strikeout to walk ratio. He wants to make a good impression.