Blue Jays shuffle rotation as Dickey moves up, McGowan move down

Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Blue Jays disclosed to the media yesterday that they have decided to shuffle their starting rotation this week after an off-day Monday (h/t John Lott, National Post).

R.A. Dickey will pitch on his regular four days rest and is scheduled to start Thursday against the Houston Astros. Brandon Morrow goes tonight on five days rest and Dustin McGowan was pushed back to Friday and will receive six days off between starts.

The Blue Jays have three consecutive weeks with off-days so it’s not surprising to see them shuffle the rotation, as Scott MacArthur of TSN hinted they might try before the season started.

Dickey was very good his last time out and had the knuckleball dancing. He’s arguably the Jays’ best pitcher and an absolute workhorse so it makes sense the Jays would go back to him on regular rest. The move also allows him to pitch an extra game in the dome instead of an open-air stadium. Not to make too much out of early season results but as we learned last April a bad start can all but ruin a season.

The fact manager John Gibbons is coddling Morrow and McGowan is nothing new as they have taken a cautious approach with both pitchers for years. McGowan most likely has some strong of innings cap (stated or not) and Morrow has never surpassed 180 innings in a season.