Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman on the honor of being named Opening Day starter, the perfect franchise player
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman spoke to the media ahead of Opening Day about the honour of starting, the impact of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and what this milestone season means for the franchise.
After a 2025 campaign that stretched to the final possible day of the MLB calendar, Kevin Gausman and the Toronto Blue Jays are back at Rogers Centre less than six months removed from Game 7 of the World Series.
For Gausman, the short offseason has made the transition back feel almost surreal. “It feels like we never left,” he said Thursday.
Preparing to take the mound for Friday’s opener against the Oakland Athletics, Gausman described the experience as both unusual and exciting.
Kevin Gausman says he felt nostalgic yesterday, playing catch before his bullpen at Rogers Centre. “It feels like we never left, to be honest. It feels like we’re getting ready for Game 8.” #BlueJays
Gausman describes Vladimir Guerrero Jr as the perfect franchise player
As the Blue Jays enter their 50th season, the focus is once again on making a deep postseason run, one that ideally stretches into late October or even early November.
Still, after just the third World Series appearance in franchise history, there has been time for reflection.
For Gausman, that reflection included the emergence of Guerrero as the team’s leader during the 2025 playoffs.
“I think Vlad is the perfect franchise player,” Gausman said. “He does everything the right way. He connects with the fans, he loves the game, and you can see that in how he plays every single pitch. “I think he understood he needed to elevate his game, and what he did in the postseason was incredible. He checks every box. We’re really lucky to have him.”
Gausman and Guerrero have been key figures for Toronto since the pitcher signed a five-year deal with the club in 2022.
Both elevated their performances during the 2025 postseason—Guerrero posting a remarkable 1.289 OPS, while Gausman recorded a 2.93 ERA.
Now, as a new season begins, the duo will look to build on that momentum and help position Toronto for another run at a World Series title.
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