1 year agoToronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider made sure to point out how "electric" right-hander
Mitch White looked in his first bullpen session this spring, where he was sitting at around 94-95 mph with his fastball. Along with
Bowden Francis, White is a leading candidate for the fifth starting rotation spot to open the 2024 season. He's been less successful in the big leagues, but he ended the season well at Triple-A Buffalo and is out of minor-league options. If he doesn't win a starting spot, he'll be a leading candidate to break camp in a long-relief role. The 29-year-old has had an ERA over 7.00 in his short time with the Blue Jays since 2022, but he could be in play in AL-only leagues if he shows improvement this year and manages to win the No. 5 starting role.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Kaitlyn McGrath
1 year agoBoth Toronto Blue Jays pitchers
Mitch White and
Bowden Francis are being built up as starters in spring training. Cuban right-hander
Yariel Rodriguez is also coming to camp as a starter, but he needs more time to get extended after not pitching at all in affiliated ball in 2023. The 29-year-old White could have an edge on the team's final roster spot in either a starting or relief role, but a spot in the bullpen is more likely. The main reason that White could break camp with the team this spring is that he's out of minor-league options. Most likely, he'll be a swing man in 2024. Francis, 27, has been mostly a starter in the minors, but all 21 of his big-league outings have come out of the bullpen. He's been great in 37 MLB relief innings, too, posting a 1.70 ERA and 0.84 WHIP, so he could become an intriguing AL-only streamer if he's making starts for Toronto in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
1 year agoThe Toronto Star's Gregor Chisholm projects that right-hander
Mitch White will break camp with the last spot in the bullpen to start the 2024 regular season. White is out of minor-league options and can't be sent down without having to clear waivers. Right-hander
Jordan Romano is the clear closing option, while
Chad Green,
Tim Mayza,
Erik Swanson,
Yimi Garcia,
Genesis Cabrera and
Trevor Richards should also have spots in the Opening Day bullpen in Toronto. White may open the year on the big-league roster, but he's going to need to pitch better to stay there once the season kicks off. The 29-year-old had a career-worst 7.11 ERA and 1.74 WHIP with seven walks and 13 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings over 10 appearances in relief in the majors in 2023. He's off the fantasy radar.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Toronto Star - Gregor Chisholm
2 years agoToronto Blue Jays pitcher
Mitch White (elbow) felt good after throwing a 20-pitch bullpen session Monday. This is the first update on the 28-year-old since he was shut down late in spring with right elbow inflammation. White has dealt with both elbow and shoulder injuries in 2023, so it remains to be seen when he may be fully ramped up to join the team. It will also remain to be seen what his role will be with the Blue Jays once he does rejoin them. White compiled a 5.45 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 17.7% strikeout rate in 25 appearances (18 starts) in 2022 with the Dodgers and Blue Jays.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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