Baseball Guru
03-02-2002, 09:38 AM
By MIKE GANTER -- Toronto Sun
DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Scott Eyre still is not sure for what role he is auditioning, but whatever it is, he's off to a good start.
The 30-year-old left-hander, who could end up being the Blue Jays' fifth starter, or perhaps the long reliever in the bullpen, had a stellar start to his spring training yesterday against the New York Yankees.
Eyre came on in relief of starter Roy Halladay yesterday with a runner on second and none out and retired the Yankees in order. He followed that up with another scoreless inning. In total, he struck out three and allowed a hit and a walk.
All 17 appearances Eyre made for the Jays last year were in relief, but Esteban Loaiza's injured shoulder has opened a spot in the rotation.
Martinez is not saying which way he is leaning.
"I am not concerned about him if he continues to do what I saw from him last year and this year," Martinez said. "He'll pitch his way into some situation, whatever it is."
HALLADAY ON SOLID GROUND:
Even a year ago, a performance like the one Halladay had yesterday -- six hits over one inning and two batters -- might have eaten away at the Jays right-hander.
The difference this season is that Halladay knows where he wants to be and what he is trying to accomplish, so even a rough start like the one he had yesterday isn't going to shake him.
"Obviously the first time out I'm not going to be quite there yet so I give myself some leeway," he said. "I still take responsibility for it, but for the most part I feel like I accomplished what I wanted to.
"I just feel like I have a lot better idea this year of what I need to do to get ready. I think last year I was waiting for someone to tell me, 'This looks good,' or, `This doesn't.' "
DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Scott Eyre still is not sure for what role he is auditioning, but whatever it is, he's off to a good start.
The 30-year-old left-hander, who could end up being the Blue Jays' fifth starter, or perhaps the long reliever in the bullpen, had a stellar start to his spring training yesterday against the New York Yankees.
Eyre came on in relief of starter Roy Halladay yesterday with a runner on second and none out and retired the Yankees in order. He followed that up with another scoreless inning. In total, he struck out three and allowed a hit and a walk.
All 17 appearances Eyre made for the Jays last year were in relief, but Esteban Loaiza's injured shoulder has opened a spot in the rotation.
Martinez is not saying which way he is leaning.
"I am not concerned about him if he continues to do what I saw from him last year and this year," Martinez said. "He'll pitch his way into some situation, whatever it is."
HALLADAY ON SOLID GROUND:
Even a year ago, a performance like the one Halladay had yesterday -- six hits over one inning and two batters -- might have eaten away at the Jays right-hander.
The difference this season is that Halladay knows where he wants to be and what he is trying to accomplish, so even a rough start like the one he had yesterday isn't going to shake him.
"Obviously the first time out I'm not going to be quite there yet so I give myself some leeway," he said. "I still take responsibility for it, but for the most part I feel like I accomplished what I wanted to.
"I just feel like I have a lot better idea this year of what I need to do to get ready. I think last year I was waiting for someone to tell me, 'This looks good,' or, `This doesn't.' "