Jays spinning a shadow of what he was

CHICAGO – The Blue Jays felt very good about their rotation that comes from the spring training this year. But what a difference is four months.

The setup of the five starters was supposed to be among the best in the AL, a training that included left-handed J.A. Happ and Jaime Garcia with right-handers Marco Estrada, Aaron Sanchez and Marcus Stroman. Fast forward until the end of July and, starting on Friday, Stroman is the last man standing. Happ was traded to the Yankees, Sanchez is on the DL with a bruise of the right index, Estrada has just come out of the DL with a blister and gluteal problems and Garcia is in the bullpen. This leaves manager John Gibbons in a difficult position.

It's Gibbons' job to put his team in the best position to win every day, but he's getting ready to pitch pitchers and he's being asked to play. One of these is the newly acquired Brandon Drury infieldman. But Gibbons understands the case of a manager on a team being rebuilt.

"When you take on new guys, (we) get them for a reason, so when they're here, we have to make sure they're playing, to look a little bit into the future," said Gibbons. "I recognize the situation we are in right now and there are some guys you want to know (what they have). But I am loyal to this organization which has been very good to me and I have no complaints about the direction towards which it is going. I will make sure that if we take someone, he plays.

Gibbons acknowledged that with the addition of Drury, there will be a log in the infield, especially when Josh Donaldson (left calf tight) returns. There is also the shortstop / second baseman Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Devon Travis in second, Aledmys Diaz in third position and Yangervis Solarte in third

"This is not easy", said Gibbons, who must find a way to keep all his players happy. And it will not be easy, especially for a team that should not win many games. Regarding the rotation, Gibbons said the Jays will go with another match day for Saturday's game at Guaranteed Rate Field, saying Luis Santos or John Axford (both right-handers) can start. This will be followed by Ryan Borucki on Sunday (from his hometown for the first time as Major Leaguer), Marco Estrada on Monday in Oakland and Sam Gaviglio on Tuesday.

PRAISE FOR HAPP
With Happ gone, Estrada is now the doyen of the Jays rotation. He said he will miss his former teammate

"It's sad, you know, he was one of my favorite teammates, he was also a friend." between you know that he and I have spent a lot of time, "said Estrada. "So, you lose a guy like that, not just on the field, it was a blow to the team, but off the field, he was a guy with whom I'd like to do some dinners and do some fun stuff, but also I'm happy for him, I know that the Yankees are playing well and have a chance to go to the playoffs, you wish him good luck, until you see him. he's running against us.

"I'll miss him," added Gibbons. "He's the old pro you know. I think it's great for the Yankees, I think it can help them to be on top. I really do. It will be weird in front of him, I know it. "

The Jays then play the Yankees on August 17 in New York

Estrada said his blistering problem in the middle of the finger and his bad feel better and he will be ready to start on Monday. a side session Saturday

"I could not (go) 100 lengths my first time there but I will try," said Estrada. "But I'm going to be smart about it."

[19459005MEDICALUPDATES
RHP Danny Barnes (left knee tendonitis) launched his second rehab game for Triple A Buffalo on Friday.He feels good.Fr Kevin Pillar (right sternoclavicular injury) continues to progress with throwing and run smoothly and began to progress on Friday.Sanchez continues his progression and feels good and is expected to launch the first open tennis on Saturday.Old Alford Al, one of the best hopes of the organization, was hit in the head by a sell throw in Buffalo, but soon after it was removed from play.