Romero to work on delivery in minor-league game

[LittleOzzy]

The Toronto Blue Jays are going to use Ricky Romero in a minor-league game Thursday rather than in Grapefruit League play to work on an adjustment to his delivery.

Pitching coach Pete Walker said the club identified a mechanical fault which may explain the control problems Romero endured last year and so far this spring. He said the fault can be seen in video tracing back to 2011 They’ve been working to correct the issue – dragging his arm across the body on certain pitches, rather than straight to the plate – but he lapses into old habit when in a competitive situation, as in his 3-inning outing against the Tigers last week.

Romero is moving his foot about 6 cm toward third on the pitching rubber in an attempt to resolve the problem.

The Blue Jays have continued to insist that Romero will be with the team on Opening Day in two weeks. As Romero had medical procedures on both knees and his pitching elbow in the off-season, leaving him at extended spring training on the disabled list is a possible option.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/b ... le9944264/

[torontoaces04]

Hopefully they keep him there. The major leagues is NOT the place to be working on your mechanics, especially on a team that is expected to compete for the World Series.

We get it, everyone thinks Ricky is a great guy...that's all well and good, but doesn't mean that he should be with the club, when he is undeserving of a spot.

Do the exact same thing they did with Lind last year, put him on waivers (obviously nobody will claim him), and then give him all the time he needs in the minors to try and figure it out.

The upside is there, we've seen it in the past. That said, Ricky is in a bad, bad place right now, and completely undeserving of a roster spot.

[El Bow]

That "mechanical fault" has been pointed out by numerous posters on various forums since last season. It's scary to think it was only discovered by the coaching staff now

[Raptor_Guy]

I really don't feel like watching him get lit up by John Farrel's Red Sox 5 games into the season just because it might hurt his feelings to not be on the team right away.

[Santoki]

That "mechanical fault" has been pointed out by numerous posters on various forums since last season. It's scary to think it was only discovered by the coaching staff now

They have noticed it and I'm sure they have been trying different things with no success. They're finally coming out with this statement because they've run out of time in explaining away his failures. This hopefully leads to a short stint in the minors and Ricky can come back and be productive as a 5th starter. It's obvious he'll never be the same again and it's a shame, but this team has to move on and go with the guys that will make this team the most competitive. I love Ricky but I'm not about to throw away 5-6 games for a goodwill gesture.

[torontoaces04]

They have noticed it and I'm sure they have been trying different things with no success. They're finally coming out with this statement because they've run out of time in explaining away his failures.

I love Ricky but I'm not about to throw away 5-6 games for a goodwill gesture.

I don't LOVE him, but I agree with the sentiment.

[YogiStewart]

this, combined with yesterday's statement that JA Happ will start the season with the Jays as their middle relief pitcher really makes me wonder how much crow Mike Wilner will eat if Romero starts in the minors on a "rehab assignment"

[torontoaces04]

this, combined with yesterday's statement that JA Happ will start the season with the Jays as their middle relief pitcher really makes me wonder how much crow Mike Wilner will eat if Romero starts in the minors on a "rehab assignment"

...but he'll find some way to blame it on the fans.

[Santoki]

this, combined with yesterday's statement that JA Happ will start the season with the Jays as their middle relief pitcher really makes me wonder how much crow Mike Wilner will eat if Romero starts in the minors on a "rehab assignment"

...but he'll find some way to blame it on the fans.

Wilner won't eat crow. He'll spin it so that the move seems like the natural thing to do and they won't let anyone on the show that will call him out on it. He'll find a way to condescendingly answer the question so that Romero starting in the minors is something that was always bound to happen.

[Fenris-77]

I actually like Wilner, sort of, but he is a gigantic douche sometimes with the condescension that drips from his mike. Meh.

[J-Roc]

Sounds like they've been trying to get him to adjust his throw to the plate, but since that's not working, they'll now try something easier for him to repeat, like shifting his starting point on the rubber. I hope it works. But this doesn't sound like he's going back to what used to work for him. This is just more new stuff he'll have to adjust to. I feel sorry for opposing batters.

[El Bow]

That "mechanical fault" has been pointed out by numerous posters on various forums since last season. It's scary to think it was only discovered by the coaching staff now

They have noticed it and I'm sure they have been trying different things with no success. They're finally coming out with this statement because they've run out of time in explaining away his failures. This hopefully leads to a short stint in the minors and Ricky can come back and be productive as a 5th starter. It's obvious he'll never be the same again and it's a shame, but this team has to move on and go with the guys that will make this team the most competitive. I love Ricky but I'm not about to throw away 5-6 games for a goodwill gesture.

Thanks for the clarification; this makes more sense. And I agree with the Romero statement. If SP depth is this team's strength, then wins coming from the 5th starter spot will be a necessity

[RINSE]

The Jays have never done anything wrong according to Mike Wilner

[Gibby]

Who is this Mike Wilner chap? I live on the east coast so never listen. I'm almost considering tuning in to one of his shows, everyone has bad things to say about him lol

[hyper316]

Wilner is a mouthpiece for Rogers. Arrogant guy that often put down callers with negative opinion on the Jays, rightly or wrongly.

[soulchild_07]

Not that results matter but from the minor league game today : "Romero got 7 outs against Pirates Class A hitters today, 5H, 4R, 5BB, 0K, 64 pitches, 29 strikes while giving up a two run HR"
Starting to sound like Cecil's situation last year...been saying all the right things until they DL him and have him on a minor league rehab stint to sort through it...maybe not, pure speculation on my part.

[Raptor_Guy]

Who is this Mike Wilner chap? I live on the east coast so never listen. I'm almost considering tuning in to one of his shows, everyone has bad things to say about him lol

He just comes off as an "I'm never wrong" kinda guy who is incredibly bias at times. For example, if a bad hitter goes 0-4 and someone calls in saying he shouldn't be playing, he defends the hitter and says you can't just say that because of one 0-4 game.

However, I remember a time last year someone said, "to think we could have Mike Napoli" and Wilner replied "he's 0-4 tonight." Such a hypocrite sometimes..

[hyper316]

wow, Romero is not looking good, he can't throw strikes and walking a ton. maybe give Happ a chance

[suntzuballin]

i think if he isnt at par after a few starts hes should be in the bullpen as long inning reliver for bit take pressure off him and build his confidence back

[SharoneWright]

I'm now prepared to pretend Happ did his duty, reported to Buffalo to make sure we had a game-ready 6th starter in case of need - as was the plan. I think it's time to promote him. We have need.