As spring training reached the half way point, the Blue Jays began the process of winnowing down the number of players in their MLB camp by sending ten players to minor league camp.
40-man roster RHP ‘s Patrick Murphy, TJ Zeuch, Elvis Luciano, Julian Merryweather, Hector Perez, and Thomas Hatch were optioned. Non-roster invitees C Alejandro Kirk, SS/2B Logan Warmoth, 1B/3B Patrick Kivlehan, and INF Nash Knight were reassigned to minor league camp.
Zeuch was thought to be in the running for a shot at the 5th spot in the rotation; the battle appears now to be between Trent Thornton and Anthony Kay. Hatch made a strong impression, and likely will join Zeuch in Buffalo’s rotation. Merryweather has pitched all of 6 innings the past two seasons, so he was likely sent down in order to get some work in.
Kirk impressed many during his time in MLB camp. He’s most likely ticketed for New Hampshire.
Minor League camp opened last week, and exhibition games between the various affiliates start next week. As a reminder for Blue Jays fans headed to Dunedin, the club’s minor league complex is closed to the public due to construction. A better bet to catch the team’s minor league players in action will be when they travel to Clearwater to play the Phillies’ minor leaguers, or in Tampa when they take on the Yankees’ prospects.
