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Blue Jays, Montoyo tuning out unknowns to focus on the task at hand – Sportsnet.ca

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TORONTO — Wednesday afternoon, while a frenzied scramble to find a regular season home — potentially homes — played out at levels of the organization above his head, Toronto Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo focused on the task at hand.

That would be preparing an MLB team for a season that begins in less than 48 hours. There’s a pitching rotation to finalize; a bullpen to assemble; a 30-man opening day roster due to MLB by Thursday at 12 p.m. ET. The Blue Jays may not yet know where they’re playing all of their games — but they do know they’ll be playing them. And that provides plenty of tasks for a coaching staff to focus on.

“Two days to go, not knowing where you’re going to play home games — I’ve never gone through something like this,” Montoyo said. “But I know, as a leader, if I’m looking at a leader and you see a leader panicking, that’s just not good. So, we’re not. The coaching staff is not. We’re working hard with these kids just to keep them in a positive mindset. That’s what we’re doing right now.”

Montoyo and the club’s front office made final decisions on that 30-man roster Wednesday, and informed players whether or not they’d made the team shortly before that night’s rain-shorted 2-0 exhibition win over the Boston Red Sox. The Blue Jays did not make those final decisions public, opting instead to announce the roster Thursday when the club has an optional workout scheduled at Tropicana Field ahead of Friday’s season opener against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Of course, most of it’s obvious. Only a few names on the very fringes of the roster stood to be impacted by Wednesday’s decisions, and with 30 spots up for grabs, the club had to make fewer tough calls than it would have at the end of spring training. This time around, the decision came down to whether the Blue Jays would carry 16 pitchers and 14 position players or an even 15 and 15 split.

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If it’s the latter, that could be good news for a swingman who missed out on a rotation spot, like Sean Reid-Foley or Thomas Pannone, or potentially one of Toronto’s non-roster invitees, like Justin Miller or Brian Moran. If it’s the former, that means the Blue Jays felt confident in their starting pitching getting deep into games over the first week of the season, and opted instead to carry some extra infield cover in non-roster invitee Ruben Tejada or an additional outfielder in Billy McKinney.

And things could always change on Thursday. At the club’s optional workout, Montoyo will be getting his first look this spring at Brandon Drury, who’s been on the injured list since the beginning of the month for undisclosed reasons. He never made it to Toronto when the team shifted its training camp to Rogers Centre, continuing to work out at the club’s spring training facility in Dunedin, Fla. instead. If Drury’s in game shape, he could draw in to the roster for opening day.

A decision will also be made Thursday on Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who’s been battling left side discomfort that developed during an intrasquad game earlier this week. Gurriel took batting practice ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Red Sox, and is scheduled to take live batting practice against Tanner Roark Thursday, after which he’ll be reassessed. Montoyo’s optimistic Gurriel will be available come opening day, but if this year has taught us anything it’s that little is ever certain.

What we do know is Chase Anderson will start the season on the injured list, but “should be ready sooner than we thought,” according to Montoyo. That opens a spot in Toronto’s rotation for one of Anthony Kay or Ryan Borucki, with the former slightly more likely to win the job than the latter. Both would be on turn for Sunday’s contest against the Rays and the Blue Jays have yet to name a starter for that game.

Trent Thornton’s also in Toronto’s rotation, and Wednesday’s outing against Boston — he looked sharp over three one-hit innings — lines him up to start Monday against the Washington Nationals, with Roark on turn for Tuesday’s matinee.

You’ll perhaps notice that the name Nate Pearson does not appear within those first five starts for the Blue Jays. And by now you’re surely aware that by leaving him off the roster for those first five games of the season, the Blue Jays can ensure he won’t complete a full year of major-league service in 2020, delaying his free agency until after the 2026 season.

This move is as obvious as it is heartless. Any prudent front office makes it. Particularly during a season in which their club is not expected to contend and has plentiful starting pitching options. And especially not during a season that could be cut short due to pandemic at any moment. If the Blue Jays rostered Pearson from opening day only to watch the season be wiped out, the Blue Jays would have blown a year of contractual control at both the beginning and end of his service clock.

It’s not what you want. And that the Blue Jays are even in a position in which they’re incentivized to keep one of the best young pitchers on the planet off their roster is demoralizing for all involved. Pearson loses out on valuable development time. The Blue Jays lose out on having an uncommonly talented pitcher contribute to their team. Fans lose out on watching him pitch. Baseball loses out on putting its best product on the field. Everyone loses.

But like the minor detail of where half the team’s games will take place this season, it’s just not something Montoyo can spend his energy on right now. His job is to keep the players he has positive, focused, and pulling in the same direction. It’s something he has quite a bit of experience with.

Remember, Montoyo spent nearly two decades managing in the minor-leagues. Seven of those seasons — more than 1,000 games — were spent at the helm of the triple-A Durham Bulls. That’s not an easy level to manage. No player truly wants to be there. Some are on their way up, upset they haven’t reach the big leagues yet. Some are on their way down, upset they’re no longer in the majors. Some are stuck in the middle, upset the game’s overlooked them.

Montoyo took those Bulls teams to the International League finals five times. He won a couple championships. He did it all while his son, Alex, underwent multiple open heart surgeries within his first year of life. Sometimes, Montoyo would fly to Arizona on off-days, spend less than 24 hours with his family, and return to Durham on another cross-country flight in time for the Bulls’ next game.

So, this? This is nothing.

“Honestly, I’ve gone through worse,” Montoyo said. “You just stay positive. This group’s so positive. You saw the game last night. We’re still going to play to win. Wherever that place is, we’re going to do that. I’m really proud of these guys. Nobody’s complaining. They’re just getting ready, working out, getting ready for the game tonight. And we’ll see where we’re going to play.”

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Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

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November 8, 2024

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LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

___

AP cricket:

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Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

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November 8, 2024

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

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November 8, 2024

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Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

—

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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