Blue Jays: Thomas Pannone makes 2018 debut and it was ugly

Toronto Blue Jays pitching prospect Thomas Pannone made his 2018 debut with the Dunedin Blue Jays and it was ugly surrendering seven runs in 4.2 innings of work.

Thomas Pannone was handed an 80-game suspension earlier this spring after testing positive for Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone. The southpaw was activated on June 22nd to begin a rehab assignment in Dunedin.

Things definitely did not go as planned for Pannone last night versus the Clearwater Threshers as the 24-year old was roughed for seven earned runs over nine hits. Pannone only fanned one batter while offering up a gopher ball to Jose Pujols. The young hurler threw 73 pitches during the outing, 49 which were for strikes.

More from Toronto Blue Jays News

• Blue Jays: Snapping cold streaks at the right time
• Who Should the Blue Jays Extend First: Guerrero, Bichette or Manoah?
• Blue Jays now hold the top Wild Card spot, and yes that’s a good thing
• Blue Jays may have the tools to use a Bullpen Day
• Blue Jays win important first game after Bichette’s late inning heroics

The Jays acquired Pannone and Samad Taylor from the Cleveland Indians last season at the deadline in exchange for reliever Joe Smith. The Jays brain trust was high on Pannone prior to the suspension as he put up an impressive 2.36 earned run average in 25 starts between High-A and Double-A last season.

Pannone was selected in the 9th round of the 2013 amateur draft by the Indians during the Shapiro/Atkins reign in Cleveland. At the time of his suspension, Pannone proclaimed his innocence denying that he knowingly took a banned substance.

"“I have worked too hard to get where I am today to jeopardize my reputation and my career by taking a performance-enhancing drug,” he said. “I have the utmost respect for my family, my teammates, my organization and the fans to let my character be called into question."

"“It is my hope that future athletes who unknowingly test positive for DHCMT will have a better chance to clear their names than I have had. I am fully aware that, regardless of my innocence, I will have to earn back the trust of some and I plan to make that a priority for the rest of my career.”"

It was thought Pannone was tabbed for Triple-A Buffalo this season so it should be interesting to see where Pannone lands at the conclusion of his rehab assignment. Undoubtedly the hurler was just trying to get his feet wet and a feel for all his pitches last night in his debut.

Next: Blue Jays’ Roberto Osuna suspended for 75 games

Hopefully, Pannone can put this unfortunate discretion behind him and start building toward his goal of pitching north of the border for the big club.