Overview
- Toronto will open with Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, Max Scherzer, Cody Ponce and Eric Lauer in the rotation.
- Manager John Schneider called Trey Yesavage’s recent minor league outing encouraging and said a next step could reach 45 pitches over three innings.
- General manager Ross Atkins said Shane Bieber will throw off a mound this week as he restarts a standard spring build-up.
- Atkins said José Berríos will also get back on a mound this week after a World Baseball Classic physical led to tests that found an elbow stress fracture.
- Depth behind the five starters is thin, with Bowden Francis out for the year and prospects like Ricky Tiedemann not ready, raising the risk if anyone else is sidelined.