PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Sporting a fresh tattoo and a reliable changeup, Shaun Marcum produced another effortless and successful day at the park on Thursday.
Facing the Rays in his second start of the spring, Marcum, the likely favourite to be the Blue Jays opening day starter blanked the Rays on one hit over three innings while striking out two. The Rays went on to win 4-1.
Having missed all of 2009 due to Tommy John surgery, Marcum has looked extremely sharp this spring.
“My changeup and my curve ball, I threw more of them today and everything felt good,” Marcum said. “And I located the fastball pretty good today as well. I felt like today was a pretty good day.”
Due to his lengthy layoff, Marcum has different priorities right now than other starters.
“Just locating everything,” he said of what is most important. “I don’t know when I’m going to start throwing the cutter (which places more stress on the elbow). Maybe next start. Locating my pitches and staying healthy are the main two things.”
The tattoo is a large colourful family crest from England that he sports on his pitching arm and was one he commissioned within the last two weeks.
As far as being the opening day pitcher, it’s not a priority for Marcum.
“It would be fun, it would be an honour for them to think that highly of you to pitch on opening day,” he said. “But other than that it’s still a game. You have to go out there and pitch and do whatever you can to win.”
Real McCoy
Super utility infielder Mike McCoy is up against it as far as breaking with the team. In a bid for one of the three non-catching backup spots he falls behind DH/1B Randy Ruiz and shortstop John McDonald.
The final spot should go to one of Joey Gathright or Jeremy Reed, both outfielders, or McCoy, who can play third, second, short and in a pinch, the outfield.
He was signed by the Jays on the recommendation of bench coach Nick Leyva.
“He played for me in Mexico this winter (Culiacan),” Leyva said.
“He led off and hit second sometimes but I just liked the way he played. He’s a little scrapper but you look at his numbers and he steals 40 bases everywhere he goes.
“He was outstanding for me and I recommended him. At the time we didn’t have a shortstop (prior to signing Alex Gonzalez) and we didn’t have a leadoff hitter.
“This is a guy that can be a very valuable part of our club. I’m hoping he has a good spring and is considered to make our club. He’s a very good player and knows how to play the game.”
In 132 games at triple-A Colorado Springs last year, McCoy, who turns 29 April 2, hit .307. He had more walks than strikeouts, 80-70, and stole 40 bases while getting caught just six times.
mike.rutsey@sunmedia.ca
