Dustin Pedroia on Apple Watch controversy: “It’s part of the game.”

The fallout from the New York Times’ bombshell story about the Boston Red Sox stealing signs with the aid of Apple Watches continues to be felt as Boston players start commenting on the controversy.

“It’s part of the game,” Dustin Pedroia told Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe. “It’s baseball. It’s been around a long time. We were doing that at Douglas Junior High School where I played, so I don’t think it should be news to everybody.”

OPINION: It is news. Yes, everyone steals signs; most notably when a player is on second base. Still, no teams use, or have been caught using, technology such as Apple Watches to steal signs from opposing teams, and that’s what sets the Red Sox apart.

It can be debated how severe the offense was and how severe the punishment should be, but the fact that what the Red Sox did was illegal is not debatable.

ESPN’s Keith Law named Vladimir Guerrero Jr. their 2017 prospect of the year yesterday, capping off a phenomenal season split between single-A Lansing and high-A Dunedin.

Guerrero hit .333 in 48 games with Dunedin, with an OBP of .450.

With a win as part of the Dunedin Blue Jays last night, Guerrero and the team became co-champions of the Florida State League. Due to the impending threat of Hurricane Irma, the league’s postseason was shortened by one series.

Elsewhere in the minor-league system, Nate Pearson, Toronto’s second pick in the 2017 amateur draft, struck out the first 10 batters he faced in a playoff appearance for the Vancouver Canadians. He went four innings and didn’t allow a run.

The Blue Jays are still unsure about whether Marcus Stroman will start for the team on Friday against the Detroit Tigers after throwing a bullpen session yesterday. Today, he’ll undergo tests in Toronto to determine whether he is able to make his start.

Laura Armstrong of the Toronto Star reports that Luis Santos and Chris Rowley are both options to replace Stroman for his start, while Brett Anderson is also in the discussion.

Stroman was hit on the arm by a batted ball during his start against the Baltimore Orioles.

Ross Atkins, the general manager for the Blue Jays, had some interesting comments on Sportsnet when it came to Roberto Osuna and keeping him in the closer role, despite his recent struggles.

After a disappointing and taxing series at Fenway Park (to be honest, what series at Fenway Park isn’t?), the Blue Jays have an off-day today. Tomorrow, they’ll be back in Toronto to play the Detroit Tigers with Buck Farmer on the mound for Detroit. Toronto’s starter is still in question.