Blue Jays Grapple with francis‘s Struggles Amid Rotation Concerns

Can Toronto find a fix for their struggling pitcher, or will they be forced to make a change?

The Toronto Blue Jays are facing a dilemma with pitcher Bowden Francis, whose recent performances have raised concerns about his role in the starting rotation. Despite the team’s overall success, Francis‘s struggles are putting a strain on the bullpen and raising questions about the sustainability of his starts.

Francis Reflects on Recent outings

Bowden francis acknowledged his struggles after a recent game against the Minnesota Twins, stating, “It’s frustrating. It’s tough. I’m not quitting. but I’ve got to turn it around.” He recognizes the need to improve and contribute more effectively to the team’s efforts.

the right-hander allowed four runs in 3.1 innings against the Twins,continuing a trend of short outings. while there was some improvement compared to his previous start against the Philadelphia Phillies,five walks and five hits allowed still gave the Blue Jays plenty to worry about.

Manager’s Confidence and Support

Despite the challenges, manager John Schneider expressed confidence in Francis, stating that the team trusts him. “We need him to help contribute and be the pitcher that he can be. So you keep working to make adjustments.The stuff is where it should be. It’s just the mix and the location you’ve got to tighten up a little bit, that’s all.”

Schneider dismissed the idea of making a change in the rotation or using an opener before Francis, emphasizing the need to avoid overworking the bullpen. The team is banking on Francis and pitching coach Pete Walker to work through the issues.

Potential Rotation Replacements

With Max Scherzer on the injured list, the Blue Jays are exploring option options for the rotation. Spencer Turnbull was recalled and could potentially contribute, although his fastball velocity is currently lower than usual. According to a recent report, MLB teams are increasingly relying on data analytics to evaluate pitcher performance and make informed decisions about roster moves (MLB.com 2024).

eric Lauer, who has a 2.08 ERA over 26 innings, is another candidate to join the rotation. Additionally,Canadian lefty Adam Macko recently returned to triple-A Buffalo after recovering from knee surgery and showed promise in his first outing.

Bassitt‘s perspective on Player Growth

Chris Bassitt offered a broader perspective on player development, emphasizing the importance of allowing players to work through their struggles. “Sending a guy down and moving a guy as they’re struggling, that’s not how you develop someone into being a good big-leaguer.It’s just not,” Bassitt said.

“What drives me crazy is the so-called protecting a guy. Even in the minor leagues, you see a guy give up five or six runs over two, three innings, and all of a sudden it’s like, hey, we’re going to pull him. No. You’re at 50 pitches, you have 50 more pitches, go pitch and figure it out. If you’re not trying to figure it out in double-A and you’re not trying to figure it out in triple-A and you’re constantly protecting guys, you’re literally not helping in any way.

–Chris Bassitt

bassitt believes that the Blue Jays are doing a good job of allowing players to face challenges and learn from them, which will ultimately benefit their long-term development.

Offensive Support and Future Outlook

In the meantime, the Blue Jays need their offense to step up and support Francis. The team initially took the lead against the Twins, but Francis gave it back, and the offense couldn’t regain it. As the Blue Jays evaluate their options, the focus remains on helping Francis improve and contribute to the team’s success.