Blue Jays Spring Training Notes: Feb. 22, 2019

Blue Jays spring training news and notes from February 22nd, 2019, including an update on a new non-roster invitee and the details of a newly signed MiLB contract.

John Axford Contract Incentives

According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, RHP John Axford, whose MiLB deal with the Blue Jays just recently became official, can earn up to $1.75 million in incentives on his contract that, if Axford plays in the majors, will pay him $1.6 million. Axford, 35, pitched to an ERA of 5.27 in 50 games in 2018.

Freddy Galvis “Big Mentor” to Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

New Blue Jays shortstop Freddy Galvis is already making his presence known, tweets Blue Jays radio broadcaster Ben Wagner; Galvis has been mentoring Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who has been his training partner for the last two years. Wagner adds that Gurriel also took inspiration from his other brother Yuli, who plays for the Houston Astros.

Corey Copping Added as NRI

RHP Corey Copping, who was acquired by the Blue Jays last summer in exchange for John Axford, has been added to the team’s major-league camp as a non-roster invitee, according to TSN’s Scott Mitchell. Copping, 25, pitched to an ERA of 1.93 in 14.0 innings at Double-A New Hampshire after coming over from the Dodgers.

Ben Revere Signs with Texas Rangers

Former Blue Jays speedster Ben Revere has signed a minor-league deal with the Texas Rangers, per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. Revere, 30, was traded to the Washington Nationals in exchange for Drew Storen in January 2016 before logging time with the Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Angels organizations.

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Blue Jays and Tulowitzki: A Complicated Relationship

In a recent interview with Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi, Troy Tulowitzki said that he “got a phone call and [the Blue Jays] said that [he] could try out for other teams” after being released. Joel Sherman of the New York Post wrote Monday that the Yankees were the only team that was given a private work from Tulowitzki.

Ryan Feierabend to Wear #60

Recent minor-league signee Ryan Feierabend (who was just added to big-league camp as a non-roster invitee) will wear #60 in 2019, reports Keegan Matheson of Baseball Toronto. That number was last worn in Toronto by RHP Leonel Campos in 2017 and by RHP Jon Rauch in 2011.

Tyler Clippard Signs with Cleveland Indians

According to Heyman, the Cleveland Indians are signing Tyler Clippard to a minor-league deal that could pay him $1.75 million should he pitch in the majors. Clippard, 34, pitched to an ERA of 3.67 in 68.2 innings with the Blue Jays in 2018, striking out 85 and walking 23 in 73 appearances.

T.J. Zeuch Out for Spring

Pitching prospect T.J. Zeuch will not pitch at all in spring training due to a lat strain, Mitchell tweets. Zeuch had previously been mentioned by general manager Ross Atkins last week due to the same lat strain. The team was “monitoring” Zeuch and evidently came to the decision to shut him down temporarily.