Blue Jays Morning Brew: Montreal, Encarnacion, Reyes, Stilson

Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Baseball returns to Montreal today with the Toronto Blue Jays taking on the New York Mets for a two-game spring training set at Olympic Stadium. Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star writes that MLB’s return to the Big O stirs up mixed feelings in Expos Nation.

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Gregor Chisholm of BlueJays.com confirms that both Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Reyes have been cleared to play in Montreal. It was originally thought that Reyes would DH but it’s expected he’ll take the field at shortstop after Edwin was hit in the forearm with a pitch on Wednesday.

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Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet shares that Blue Jays’ GM Alex Anthopoulos is not entirely comfortable with his current bench options. Currently the bench consists of catcher Josh Thole, outfielder Moises Sierra and utility infielder Maicer Izturis. I’m still scratching my head about why the Jays decided to start the season with Thole instead of Erik Kratz. However Thole still has an option year remaining so will likely be on a short leash with Kratz more than ready to step in if needed.

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Staff writer Charlie Caskey, who also writes for the Vancouver Sun as well as his own blog YourVanCs, was on Dan Russell Sportstalk radio earlier this week to talk everything Blue Jays. Charlie also gives us a preview of the upcoming Minor League Handbook (more on that soon!).

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Jay Blue, who co-authored the Minor League Handbook with Charlie and Jared MacDonald of Jays Prospects, caught up with John Stilson at spring training and posted his interview at Grading on the Curve. I’m sure many of you avid readers and Blue Jays fans have already read this piece (it’s from March 20, late on the link, I know) but it’s great stuff and if you haven’t already go check it out.

Happy Friday everyone – real baseball on Monday!