BOSTON — Working down the to-do checklist for the unofficial second half the Blue Jays are well aware of their needs.
A starting rotation that is showing signs of turning things around and finding a rhythm would be nice.
So, too, would be more regular appearances of the 2021 Vlad Guerrero Jr. than the intermittent one we’ve seen this season.
But also high on the list would be George Springer who is healthier at Game 162 than he is at Game 94.
With that in mind, Springer, who took a pass on the all-star festivities in Los Angeles this week to rest a nagging sore elbow, was not in the lineup for the opener of a critical weekend series here against the Red Sox.
“Last year was a learning process for him, us, everybody,” new manager John Schneider said by way of explanation on his first night of residency in the visiting manager’s office at Fenway Park.
“And rather than going down that road again where you get a three quarter George Springer, you (hopefully) get a 100% George Springer.
“I think if we have that, it sets us up well down the stretch. I know that everybody had a break, but we all know that a healthy George is good for us.”
The front office is well aware of this, of course. When it signed Springer to that club record six-year, $150-million US contract, the Jays were after a player who can both help the team get to October, but especially to deliver then.
So just as he did in the game prior to the break, Springer got another day off to rest an ailing elbow that the team keeps insisting isn’t serious.
Springer has played in 82 of the Jays’ first 93, already a boost from the 78 he played last season. Getting another 60-plus out of him will be key, but ideally when the 32-year-old is physically at his best.
“We’re seeing how he responds to a full day of activity after a few down days,” Schneider said. “Collectively it’s the best interest for him and for us just to make sure he’s really really good.
BUDZINSKI RETURNS
Mark Budzinski is a baseball man through and through, but he’s a proud and loving father, as well.
So, of course, he was emotional on Friday when talking about his 17-year-old daughter Julia, who died in a tragic boating accident earlier this month.
“She loved the country. She loved Toronto,” Budzinksi said prior to his first game back with the team. “She was a competitor. She would ask me about the game every night or the next day, depending on the time of it. What was the score? Did you guys win? What’s your record right now?
“I was telling the guys today. Julia wanted to win bad.”
Budzinksi’s voice cracked at times as he described his daughter, an accomplished soccer and volleyball player and avid follower of the Jays.
“We have a strong faith and we know that Julia’s in a better place right now,” Budzinski said. “And we’ll look forward to seeing her down the road. That’s the only way this makes sense to me — to know there’s something greater for her.”
Budzinski emphasized his gratitude for the support from baseball people and fans across Canada and the U.S.
“You hear about social media and the negative in the media sometimes, but the world is full of good people,” Budzinski said. “That’s what hit home for us — how many good people there are in the world that helped us through this.
“Obviously, it’s still difficult and you can tell I’m emotional and it will never be the same.”
IN AWE OF ALEK
As you might expect, those Jays who sat back and watched Alek Manoah strike out three of the four batters he faced at Tuesday’s all-star game in Los Angeles were mightily impressed.
“It was pitching and competing, but he was performing,” Jays pitching coach Pete Walker said. “It’s amazing to be able to do that at that age with all those superstars around. To do that is awesome.
“For a first time all- star in that situation, it was unbelievable. I Just sat there in awe.”
Schneider, of course, had a similar reaction.
“Best half-inning ever,” Schneider said. “I texted him after and said: ‘I was impressed with your stuff and with your commentary. And the fact that you did it in your first all star game and it didn’t phase you is a credit to who you are. It was awesome.’
“Not that he needs any more confidence but he should feel really good about where he’s at.”
AROUND THE BASES
Great news for the extended Jays family with word that analyst/colour commentator Buck Martinez will be back in the booth when the team returns to Toronto for a home stand next week. Martinez, the 73-year-old former Jays catcher and manager was diagnosed with cancer in April and returned home to Florida for treatment … He’ll likely have to work his way back into the rotation, but Yusei Kikuchi was taking a step toward that on Friday with a start for triple-A Buffalo. “Looking forward to seeing how that goes,” Schneider said. “Hopefully he gets throw it well. We’ll revise that tonight.” … While many Jays players scattered across North America for the all-star break, a couple of newcomers remained in the city to become familiar with their new surroundings. Third baseman Matt Chapman spent time in Toronto and also enjoyed a wine tour in Niagara with his wife, while Ross Stripling took his wife and young child to the Toronto zoo.
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