"I talked to Cec today, told him, because he's down a little bit, he's not sharp. So I told him that he could come in, in the seventh, eighth inning. If it ends up stacking up where he's the guy in the ninth, then so be it, but try to get him a little sharper." - Blue Jays manager John Gibbons (via MLB.com/ESPN News Services)
By all counts, the opening series was a resounding success by the Toronto Blue Jays. They took two of three games from their American League East rival New York Yankees (on the road) and seem to have a well-balanced offensive and pitching attack.
Well, it is about that one loss. It was an ugly blown save resulting in a last at bat comeback victory for the Bronx Bombers. Reliever Brett Cecil was unable to protect a two-run lead resulting in the rally. Further, the bespeckled lefty uncorked a wild pitch and hit a batter, demonstrating significant control issues. The next day, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons reacted quickly in moving away from Cecil as the designated closer (via ESPN News Services).
The Blue Jays closers role was up for grabs in the Grapefruit League and Cecil was given the nod despite missing some time with some shoulder issues. So with several other candidates, Gibbons moved quickly to go to a hotter hand. And it worked, as just hours after being tabbed as the closer of the moment, 20 year-old rookie Miguel Castro nailed down the ninth inning on Thursday for his first career save. And it gave the series to the Blue Jays. Even better news, Cecil bounced back for a spotless eighth inning in a set up role.
Given the prospects for injury and the anticipated tight race in the American League East, it would not be surprising if the Blue Jays' closer role changed hands a few more times before September.