Aaron Sanchez dominates for Blue Jays, Tulowitzki leaves game

The Blue Jays right-hander pitched six and a third scoreless innings against the New York Mets on Wednesday, making another loud statement for a rotation job

The tennis match continues between Aaron Sanchez and Gavin Floyd.

Sanchez pitched brilliantly on Wednesday afternoon against the New York Mets, lasting 6.1 innings while allowing just four hits and striking out four. This represents the deepest start from a Blue Jays pitcher this spring.

Wednesday’s start moves Sanchez’s spring ERA to 1.35, but the most impressive aspects of his start were the ground balls he forced and the use of his curveball.

For the afternoon, Sanchez forced an excellent 10 ground ball outs compared to just three outs in the air. His sinking fastball was moving as well as ever, touching 99 MPH while sitting consistently at 97 to 98. Sanchez was also locating the primary pitch very well and staying ahead in counts.

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Entering today, it appeared as if the organization was leaning slightly towards Gavin Floyd for that fifth spot in the rotation, but after this performance it is becoming increasingly difficult to imagine the team sitting Sanchez down and telling him that he “lost” this camp battle to a late-offseason signing on a $1 million deal.

Tulowitzki leaves game

Some injury news from Wednesday’s game that, hopefully, is just a precautionary measure. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki took a pitch off the hand/wrist area from Bartolo Colon and left the game immediately after. Jio Mier replaced him at shortstop.

Thankfully this was a pitch from Colon and not Aroldis Chapman, but Tulowitzki was noticeably uncomfortable while leaving. Expect to see updates on this injury later in the afternoon.