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Thomas Hatch Nearing 2021 Debut
Help may be arriving soon for the Blue Jays pitching staff.
Though 12 Toronto relievers and three starting pitchers have been placed on the Injured List already this season, one starter is nearing a return. Thomas Hatch, who pitched as a reliever in 2020 but will be stretched out this year, will make his first start of the season in Triple-A on Wednesday.
Hatch has not pitched since March with right elbow impingement, and was transferred to the 60-Day IL early in the year.
In 26.1 innings of relief last year, Hatch allowed only eight earned runs and struck out 23 batters. His 4.14 FIP was a touch higher than his 2.73 season ERA, but Hatch was nearly unhittable for the first half of 2020.
The right hander had one of the fastest spinning fastballs in the league last year, producing well above average swings and misses. He couples his 95-MPH fastball with a changeup and slider, and Toronto's management have been adamant Hatch would be used as a starter this year.
“We’re thinking of him to be one of our starters whenever he’s ready,” Montoyo said earlier this season.
Sportsnet's Ben Wagner reported the Jays feel Hatch will be ready to join the big league rotation in early June. Though roster moves and injuries could open a spot for Hatch, the righty joining the MLB rotation could move Ross Stripling back into the swingman/long relief role the Jays had him slated for at the beginning of 2021.
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