Beginning of training camp in Florida

(Dunedin) Feelings of optimism, joy and excitement ran rampant Monday at the Toronto Blue Jays’ player development complex as about 20 players began spring training ahead of the 2023 season.

With light winds gently swaying the palm treetops on a glorious mid-February morning, the weather was as breezy as Florida’s favorable conditions for the first day of the early leg of camp.

Distractions seemed virtually nonexistent, a welcome change from last year’s time when Major League Baseball was mired in a lockdown and COVID-19 protocols were still front and center.

With the overwhelming pain they suffered in the first round of the playoffs now, the Blue Jays trained under blue skies and bright sunshine with a clean slate for 2023.

“It’s been hectic and busy, but (I’m) exactly where I want to be,” said head coach John Schneider. “I’m excited to get started. »

Pitchers and catchers kept busy in one area of ​​the massive compound during the morning session. Other players made a few contacts in the batting cages or passed the ball smoothly in the outfield.

Camp seemed devoid of all the preseason annoyances — injury issues, trade requests, positional issues, and the like — that can sometimes loom over the spring training period.

“We have a pretty established team I think,” said Schneider. There will be a fight for some spots and we want to start looking at those future fights. We just want to see how the guys play together as well and how they fit together. Building from the last month of the season last year and continuing this year, and seeing how they come together as a team, I think is important at this time of year as well. »

Kevin Kiermaier, Chris Bassitt, Daulton Varsho and Brandon Belt are among the main additions. Teoscar Hernandez, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Ross Stripling and Gabriel Moreno left the team.

For now, the focus is on preparing for the Pamplemousses League opener on February 25 against the Pittsburgh Pirates and possibly the regular season opener on March 30 in St. Louis. Louis.

However, the schedule is a little different for some players this year with the World Baseball Classic next month. Four Blue Jays regulars are expected to play in the tournament.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and reliever Yimi Garcia will play for the Dominican Republic, right-hander Jose Berrios will play for Puerto Rico, and wide receiver Alejandro Kirk will play for Mexico.

Otto Lopez and Damiano Palmegiani, two minor league infielders, will wear Canada’s colors.