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Former Blue Jay Anthony Gose is set to throw a bullpen session ahead of possibly converting to a pitcher, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports. Sent to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for then-minor-leaguer Devon Travis, Gose has a mid-90s fastball, Beck reports, but was able to reach 97 MPH in high school prior to becoming an outfielder.
Anthony Gose will play OF in Toledo, but he'll also do some throwing on side for possible future as a pitcher. Had mid-90s fastball in past.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) March 26, 2017
Gose, with triple-A Toledo, will still man the outfield, but will continue working on his potential conversion to becoming a pitcher on the side. Gose initially proposed the idea to the Tigers, manager Brad Ausmus said. “He came back to us with an idea that we had talked about internally at the end of last season. He’s going to throw a couple bullpen [sessions] here and there.”
The Blue Jays, in split squad action yesterday, both won and lost. Against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium, Casey Lawrence pitched five innings of two run ball and Toronto won the game 4-3 after some late game home runs. At Florida Auto Exchange Stadium against the Orioles, the Blue Jays lost 2-1 despite another strong start from Francisco Liriano. You can read our full game recap here.
Today, the Blue Jays will play the Philadelphia Phillies at 6:07 EST. Aaron Sanchez will get his final start of spring training, and, being fifth in Toronto’s rotation, won’t start again until April 8th against the Rays. Vince Velasquez, embarking on his third major league season, will start for the Phillies.
Bo Schultz will start the season on the disabled list with a unspecified elbow injury, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet reports. Although the severity of the injury is currently unknown, its been about 10 days since Schultz has appeared in a spring training game. This injury opens doors for other pitchers, such as Ryan Tepera. Schultz is out of options.
The Orioles announced Kevin Gausman as their opening day starter against the Blue Jays on April 3rd. He’s set to go up against Marco Estrada, Toronto’s opening day starter, followed by J.A. Happ, Marcus Stroman, Francisco Liriano and Aaron Sanchez.
Follow Mark Colley on Instagram and Twitter at @360BlueJayNews and @MarkColley.