Toronto Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman “felt good” throwing a side session Friday at Tropicana Field, but the team is still deciding whether to start the right-hander on Sunday or Monday, manager John Schneider told reporters.
The Blue Jays will wrap up their season-opening series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday before heading to Houston for a three-game set against the Astros, beginning on Monday.
After winning Thursday’s Opening Day game with Jose Berrios getting the start, Chris Bassitt and Yusei Kikuchi are scheduled to start Games 2 and 3 in Tampa Bay.
Gausman got a late start to spring training while dealing with shoulder soreness, but has recovered nicely, as he is now likely to make a start the first time through the rotation.
Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi also reported that catcher Danny Jansen started swinging again Friday. The 28-year-old is currently on the 10-day injured list with a fractured right pisiform.
Jansen has also resumed playing long toss after catching a side session in recent days. He will still need to take batting practice and face velocity before returning to game action.
Right-handed pitcher Alek Manoah, who is also starting the 2024 season on the injured list, will throw his next side session for the Blue Jays on Monday. He last threw off a mound on Wednesday, throwing 34 pitches over two innings in a simulated game.
The final update from the Blue Jays ahead of Friday’s game was that Joey Votto is still working toward the resumption of baseball activities.
You can watch as the Blue Jays look to build off their Opening Day win as Bassitt takes the mound against the Rays starting at 6:30 p.m. ET and 3:30 p.m. PT.
