JAYS NOTES: Jose Berrios feels strong in first outing as he builds towards possible opening day start

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SARASOTA — When you sign a $131-million US contract extension, as Jose Berrios did last October, there can be some changes in your professional approach to match the bulge in the bottom line of your bank account.

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And perhaps you can top the list with a shot at being the opening day starter for the team that shelled out all that cash.

Berrios got his Grapefruit League season under way in the first of four probable starts with an erratic outing, but one full of positives for the 27-year-old.

“I think I have a chance to make it,” Berrios said of the opening-day start prospects following his 37-pitch outing in a 9-5 Jays win over the Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. “We’ll see.”

In the deep Jays rotation, it wouldn’t be a leap to project Berrios as the starter for the April 8 season opener against the Texas Rangers. With three more starts in Grapefruit League play, it’s certainly being sculpted that way.

And why not?

Berrios had a strong off-season program and says he has arrived at camp considerably stronger. And as the highest-paid pitcher on the payroll, it stands for reason.

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After a couple of solid live bullpen efforts this week this week, Berrios was ready to go, but got the hook in the first inning after 27 pitches.

Spring training rules being what they are, the right-hander was allowed to re-enter in the second inning and faced two more batters.

“I felt great. I really feel strong,” Berrios said. “It’s just the first day so I was out of rhythm with my pitches but my arm felt good, which is a good sign for me.

“At this point, I feel more strong (than at the start of the 2021 season) and I feel like I can move better. I’ve been using more of my heel than toes, back foot. It helps me keep more in line to home plate.”

Berrios got knocked around a little on Friday, which he fully expected. He did n’t love the fluctuations in his release point but after his outing he shrugged it off as a mere technicality.

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That fat contract extension may have had another tangible benefit in that it allows a much more patient, measured approach to the pre-season campaign.

“Since my first year when I came to spring training, I’d (be getting) ready for October because I was establishing myself,” Berrios said of his thought process. “Now that we’ve signed for seven years, we can prepare ourselves to stay fresh and healthy until October.

“I don’t need to be 100 per cent in February and March because we have to make the team.”

Jays manager Charlie Montoyo was satisfied enough with the outing from Berrios, who will bump up to 50 pitches or so for the next outing.

“He looks stronger,” Montoyo said. “He’s bigger in the chest

“It was kind of windy out there and he wasn’t sharp but it wasn’t easy for throwing strikes”

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TV TALK

Prior to the pandemic, the indifference Rogers showed to broadcasting pre-season games was a source of frustration to the team.

With young stars to sell, why wouldn’t one arm of the Rogers Communications empire show some love to its corporate brothers?

With interest in the Jays ramping up seemingly by the day, that’s been fixed for this Grapefruit League season with 16 of the remaining 17 contests scheduled to air.

Eight of those will be Sportsnet productions – each of them home games at TD Ballpark – with variations of the regular crew. First up in that bunch is Sunday’s game with the Pirates.

DH BY COMMITTEE

The off-season changes thus far have yet to include a DH, which is fine with Montoyo.

The early prognosis is to cycle a number of players through that spot in the order – from Vlad Guerrero Jr. to George Springer to Teoscar Hernandez and others.

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“I use it as a way to get them a day off their feet,” Montoyo said. “I like having that spot open so I can rotate guys through.”

game on

Montoyo found out only on Thursday that the re-entry rule for starters would be in effect this spring and obviously appreciated the way it played out. “It was great because it worked out great for us,” Montoyo said. “We wanted him to pitch 30-something. And we didn’t want him to throw 30 pitches in one inning.” … The off-season work is looking to pay off for catcher Danny Jansen who had a double and a couple loud outs in his three plate appearances … Another player that caught Montoyo’s eye was third baseman Jordan Groshans, who had a second-inning double. “He looked really good at the plate,” Montoyo said … Three at-bats and three reached bases for Bo Bichette in his spring debut – a pair of walks and hit by pitch … Next up is a Saturday date against the Phillies in Clearwater with new Jay Kevin Gausman expected to get the start.