Blue Jays' manager John Schneider makes stance abundantly clear on Bowden Francis
Photo credit: https://www.mlb.com/bluejays
The Toronto Blue Jays have a major question mark in the rotation due to the injury to Max Scherzer and one starter struggling.
Bowden Francis ended 2024 as arguably the Jays' best pitcher, and he entered 2025 with expectations of having success.
However, the right-hander has struggled as Toronto is 4-9 when Francis starts.
John Schneider shot down the possibility of a change there or of doing something creative like using an opener in front of Francis.
«We're kind of doing that with one spot in the rotation already, so you don't want to wear guys out,» said the manager - who added that, «we trust him.»
Schneider also said he trusts Francis to turn it around and be a key part of the team.
Francis and pitching coach Pete Walker «have been working really hard in between,» continued Schneider. «And we need him. That's the bottom line. We need him to help contribute and be the pitcher that he can be. So you keep working to make adjustments. The stuff is where it should be. It's just the mix and the location you've got to tighten up a little bit, that's all.»
Chris Bassitt also had an opinion on his teammate and friend on what the best course of action is.
"Sending a guy down and moving a guy because they're struggling, that's not how you develop someone into being a good big-leaguer. It's just not,» said Bassitt. «What drives me crazy is the so-called protecting a guy. Even in the minor leagues, you see a guy give up five or six runs over two, three innings, and all of a sudden it's like, hey, we're going to pull him. No. You're at 50 pitches, you have 50 more pitches, go pitch and figure it out. If you're not trying to figure it out in double-A and you're not trying to figure it out in triple-A and you're constantly protecting guys, you're literally not helping in any way.
Toronto called up Spencer Turnbull from Triple-A, who could add some depth to the rotation. But Schneider expects Francis to make his next start in the rotation. Francis is projected to start on June 14 against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Francis is 2-8 with a 6.12 ERA in 13 starts.
Do you think Bowden Francis can turn it around at the MLB lever or does he need to figure it out in Buffalo?
Tell us what you think in the poll below.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 9 | 231 ANSWERS Blue Jays' manager John Schneider makes stance abundantly clear on Bowden Francis Do you think Bowden Francis can turn it around at the MLB lever or does he need to figure it out in Buffalo? | ||
| Yes | 89 | 38.5 % |
| No | 110 | 47.6 % |
| Too early to tell | 32 | 13.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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