As the Blue Jays begin the process of retooling or simply re-assessing an under-achieving roster that has mainly been overrated, Jose Berrios has remained one of the few constants.
The right-hander who has shown flashes of being a staff ace this season, but even he can be exposed, which played out Saturday night in a 12-1 pounding by the host Arizona Diamondbacks.
It’s hard to imagine Berrios pitching worse than this four-inning outing, the second-shortest start of the season, walking a season-high four batters.
When the Jays began their nine-game trip in Seattle this past week, Berrios struck out a season-high 10 batters. On Saturday night, he had zero K’s for the first time this season, giving up five earned runs on seven hits and would see his ERA inflate to 4.01.
Berrios showed his frustration in the dugout, an episode of raw emotion that may have best summed up this embarrassment of a season.
The Jays faced Yilber Diaz, whose body of work in the big leagues included one previous start and the lineup he faced looked lethargic in mustering only five hits and a second-inning sacrifice fly from Alejandro Kirk.
Fans of the Blue Jays who felt disinclined to stay up late to watch the game didn’t miss much, in the end, unless watching Chris Bassitt get tossed after he left the dugout to complain about checked swings that went against Toronto qualifies as must-see late-night TV. For insomniacs, this may have been the ultimate remedy for the sleep-deprived.
Unlike Friday’s 5-4 loss to the D-Backs, when the Jays waited until the very end to lose, Saturday’s game was determined in the early innings, punctuated by the struggles from Berrios and a lineup that looked lethargic at the plate and in the field, committing two errors.
Bowden Francis relieved Berrios and pitched two scoreless innings, but then Zach Pop and Nate Pearson gave up a combined three home runs, including two to scuffling second-year superstar Corbin Carroll, as Arizona gleefully piled it on.
Despite Toronto’s loss, it can still salvage a winning trip, for what it’s worth, if a victory is produced Sunday.
The Jays, even by their mediocre standards, were brutal Saturday, showing signs that the weight of this season has caught up to them. And to think it’s only the middle of July.
INJURY UPDATES
With Yimi Garcia rejoining the Blue Jays, there’s growing optimism the reliever may get activated Sunday and even get thrown into the fray, if required, as the all-star break looms.
There’s no assurance he will address the many issues plaguing the pen, but a healthy Garcia is infinitely better than any other option currently available.
Garcia has been on a rehab assignment in the minors in the wake of an elbow setback he sustained at Rogers Centre last month when he left the game with two outs in the ninth inning. On Friday with the triple-A Buffalo Bisons, Garcia needed 17 pitches to record two outs, an outing that featured two hits allowed and one walk issued.
Keep in mind that Garcia is a pending free agent. So, what’s best for the Jays is to have Garcia pitching at his best, which will only enhance his value in any trade talks prior to the July 30 deadline.
Bo Bichette’s status is less certain, short-term that is. A calf sprain has sidelined Bichette, who needed a stint on the 10-day injured list when he first experienced the calf duress last month.
Manager John Schneider told reporters prior to Saturday night’s game that Bichette is making progress, but did admit he’ll get additional time to heal up.
Following the all-star break, the Jays resume their schedule July 19 against the visiting Detroit Tigers for a three-game set.
Bichette’s absence has allowed Leo Jimenez to be showcased at shortstop. Jimenez made his fourth start in a row at short and has hit safely in each game.
HEADS UP
It was Lourdes Gurriel Jr. bobblehead giveaway night at Chase Field on Saturday, as the former Jays outfielder returned to the D-Backs lineup after missing a few games with shoulder soreness.
He did not play in the series opener on a night when Daulton Varsho made his return to Arizona.
The third player in that much-criticized and scrutinized trade between the Diamondbacks and Blue Jays is Gabriel Moreno.
Moreno was not in Saturday’s starting lineup as Arizona decided to go with Jose Herrera at catcher.
Varsho, who started in left field Friday, was in centre Saturday. After he hit a one-out triple in the second inning, his second in as many nights, he scored on the sac fly by Kirk that scored Varsho to tie the game, 1-1.
In the home half of the second, Herrera pulled a ball through the hole on the left side of the infield to knock in a run as Arizona quickly retook the lead and it would never look back.