Blue Jays Spring Training Notes: Feb. 15, 2019

News and notes from the Blue Jays’ spring training camp in Dunedin, Florida, including an update on the uniform number of a recent signing and a late addition to camp.

Galvis to wear #19

According to the team’s official 2019 spring roster (via Scott Mitchell of TSN), new Blue Jay Freddy Galvis will wear #19, at least for now. Galvis is notably the first Blue Jay to wear that uniform number since franchise legend Jose Bautista.

Blue Jays invite Mineo

The Blue Jays are also inviting catcher Alberto Mineo to camp, per Laura Armstrong of the Toronto Star, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun and others. Mineo, 24, spent the majority of the 2018 season at High-A Dunedin, slashing .294/.377/.406 in 229 plate appearances over 57 games.

Phelps “will be a late camp decision”

Reliever David Phelps, who signed with the Blue Jays as a free-agent in mid-January, has “a chance to head north with the team”, reports Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com. Chisholm also adds that Phelps, 32, will be a “late camp” decision due to his recovery from his March 2018 Tommy John surgery.

Merryweather “likely starts the year in Florida”

Chisholm also reports that pitcher Julian Merryweather, who is also recovering from a recent surgery, will “likely [start] the year in Florida to continue rehab”. Merryweather, 27, did not pitch during the 2018 season.

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Zeuch suffered “mild lat strain”

Pitching prospect T.J. Zeuch suffered a “mild lat strain” that the team will be monitoring throughout the beginning of spring training, notes Keegan Matheson of Baseball Toronto. Mitchell notes that the team “isn’t quite sure how long that will set him back”. Zeuch, 23, pitched to an ERA of 3.08 in 120.0 innings at Double-A New Hampshire in 2018.

Larry Walker, others to be honoured in Montreal

According to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet, Canadian baseball legend Larry Walker, former pitcher Claude Raymond, Denis Boucher and Derek Aucoin will be honoured in Montreal when the Blue Jays visit to face the Milwaukee Brewers for exhibition play.

Full details on John Axford’s contract

Recently re-signed reliever John Axford will make $1.65 million if he makes the major league roster, Davidi tweets. Davidi also adds that Axford’s deal is of the minor-league variety and includes an invite big league camp. Hazel Mae of Sportsnet went on to note that Axford could join the team in Dunedin Saturday.