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Toronto Blue Jays Ace Kevin Gausman Impresses in Spring Training Debut
Kevin Gausman, the Toronto Blue Jays’ star pitcher, showcased an incredibly promising performance during his spring training debut on Monday, raising optimism about his readiness to join a major-league game early in the upcoming season.
Gausman, who had been contending with shoulder discomfort throughout training camp, delivered a sterling three-inning outing in the team’s final spring game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton, Florida.
During his appearance, Gausman demonstrated exceptional command, throwing 52 pitches with an impressive 33 of them finding the strike zone. Despite conceding three hits, Gausman managed to record seven strikeouts, showcasing his dominant pitching prowess.
Following his stellar showing, Gausman was substituted after permitting Ke’Bryan Hayes to reach base on a minor single at the opening of the fourth inning. Subsequently, Tim Mayza took over the pitching duties but unfortunately allowed Hayes to score on a double by Henry Davis.
Notably, Gausman’s fastball consistently clocked in slightly above 95 miles per hour, enabling him to claim three strikeouts with the fastball itself and an additional four with his split-finger pitch.
Prior to the game, Gausman had set a personal goal of completing three innings while throwing 55 pitches, a target he managed to achieve with remarkable efficiency.
Should Gausman continue to progress without setbacks, he is well-positioned to assume a starting role in the team’s opening rotation. Despite missing out on the honor of being the Opening Day starter due to his earlier shoulder issues, Gausman remains a key component of the pitching lineup. Manager John Schneider confirmed that Jose Berrios will take the Opening Day mound, followed by Chris Bassitt and Yusei Kikuchi. This sequence places Gausman in line to spearhead the Blue Jays’ series opener against the Houston Astros next Monday.
Looking ahead, Gausman is anticipated to have 65-70 pitches at his disposal for the initial start post-Monday’s outing. The team plans to gradually increase his pitch count as the season progresses, enhancing his durability and effectiveness on the mound.
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