Poll time: Who should get the open spot in the Jays rotation?

We are going to need a starter or two for the rotation (depending on how quickly Aaron Sanchez can get his finger nail fixed). I thought we could talk about who we might see. If Aaron can make his next start, the team will have some time to think about who they want rounding out the rotation, but at some point we’ll need another starter.

I know Dallas Keuchel is still out there, but I don’t see any chance we’ll be signing him.

Gio Gonzalez is out there too. He’s a possibility. Of course, the Yankees have had 700 players injured (roughly, I’m rounding down), and they didn’t think Gio was an option to fill any of the holes. Gio made 3 starts in AAA. In 15 innings, he allowed 19 hits, 10 earned, 1 home run, 6 walks and 19 strikeouts. I’d be all for signing him if he’s able to walk straight into the rotation. And then we can evaluate as we go. At worst we could buy some time for the young guys to show who should come up and who shouldn’t.

We have a couple of guys in the bullpen who could step into a starting role (and I’m definitely not thinking Joe Biagini should be considered):

• Sam Gaviglio: He has been so good in the bullpen so far this season. I’d hate to lose him from the pen, since he can throw 3-4 good innings when needed, but he pitched 4 innings Saturday. Four innings without a base runner. I’d take him doing that as a starter. I’m sure he could go 5 or 6 innings within a couple of weeks of being in the rotation. He’s got a 1.20 ERA so far this season. And, of course, last year, he made 24 starts. He would be my first choice, but then I’d be telling Biagini that he’s going to have to pitch multiple innings at times.
• Thomas Pannone has been super pitching out of the bullpen too. In 7 relief appearances he has a 0.90 ERA. He’s gone 4 innings and 3 innings out of the pen. He did make that one start that didn’t go well, but we should all be allowed a mulligan. But I do like having a second lefty in the pen. And I think Charlie does too.

We have a few guys on the 40-man roster who are starting pitchers in the minors. Julian Merryweather would be a possibility, but he is on the IL in the minors. And, of course, Ryan Borucki is on the 60-day DL. Others on the 40-man:

• Jacob Waguespack: He came in the Aaron Loup trade. He has made 3 starts for Buffalo with a 4.11 ERA. In 15.1 innings, he’s allowed 16 hits, 1 home run, 4 walks and 18 strikeouts. I like guys who strikeout more than a batter an inning. If the team moves Sam into the rotation I could see Jacob coming up to fill his spot in the bullpen. Or if we need two new members of the rotation, he could be one of them.
• Sean Reid-Foley: Sean made a start April 1st and it didn’t go well, just 2 innings, 4 hits, 2 walks, a hit batter and a home run. Back in Buffalo, he’s made 2 starts and a relief appearance. He’s got a 13.50 ERA. In 10.1, he’s allowed 14 hits, 2 homers, 10 walks and 15 strikeouts. He’s going to have to find the strikezone before he should be up again.
• Yennsy Diaz: Yennsy was added to the 40-man roster back in November. He’s pitching in New Hampshire. He’s made 3 starts there, with a 3.06 ERA. In 17.2 innings, he’s allowed 10 hits, 4 home runs, 5 walks and 15 strikeouts. The 5 home runs sticks out like a sore thumb. He’s also allowed 3 unearned runs.
• Patrick Murphy: He as added to the 40-man in November too. And he’s pitching in New Hampshire, but not having a great time of it. In 4 starts he has a 6.11 ERA. In 17.2 innings he’s allowed 19 hits, 12 earned runs (17 runs), 3 home runs, 8 walks and 17 strikeouts. I’m a fan, I think he’ll be good, but with the slow start I don’t see him coming up.
• David Paulino: I thought he was going to make the major league bullpen, but the team is having him start in Buffalo. He’s made 2 starts there. They haven’t gone well. He has a 7.38 ERA. In 7.1 innings, he’s allowed 9 hits, 2 homers, 2 walks and 6 strikeouts. Weather has been terrible in Buffalo, so I’m willing to give him a break on the numbers, but I don’t think you can look to him for a roster spot.
• Hector Perez: Hector came over in the Roberto Osuna trade. He’s made 3 starts in New Hampshire. In 10.1 innings, he has a 7.84 ERA, allowing 17 hits, 1 home run, 7 walks and 16 strikeouts. Yeah, I can’t see he’ll be coming up.