Blue Jays give extra rest to starter Kevin Gausman after gruelling 53-pitch inning in the Bronx

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Does Blue Jays manager John Schneider regret leaving starter Kevin Gausman in to melt through a club record 53-pitch inning on Sunday in New York?

Yes and no.

“It’s not ideal at all,” Schneider admitted at the Rogers Centre on Tuesday prior to the first of three against the Boston Red Sox. “If it was later in the game, he’s not getting to that point. If his pitch count was higher, he’s not getting to that point.

“It’s taxing. It’s the most he’s thrown in an inning, obviously. Just a weird set of circumstances.”

And one with at least some immediate consequences, it seems.

Schneider said on Tuesday that Gausman will flip with Chris Bassitt in the rotation and start Saturday instead of Friday to get an extra days rest.

To recap, it got ugly in a hurry for Gausman on Sunday’s 11-2 loss in the first game of a doubleheader sweep at the hands of the Yankees. The 53 pitches matched a Jays record as Gausman was gassed, walking five Yankees batters and allowing six runs.

Given that it was only the third inning and given that Gausman looked extremely sharp two quick three-up, three-down innings prior, Schneider and pitching coach Pete Walker were just hoping for Gausman to pitch out of the jam.

But a couple of close calls by home plate umpire Chris Conroy went against Gausman, whose frustration rose the longer the inning dragged on.

While the veteran showed no signs of concern afterwards, the strain of throwing so many pitches over such a short period of time prompted Schneider to give the 34-year-old an extra day.

“One of the main reasons we’re pushing him back is you just want to make sure that he’s recovering okay,” Schneider said. “He’s pretty good at what he does in between starts. I think he does a good job of understanding how he feels.”

Meanwhile, with a rotation already reduced to four starters thanks to the injured thumb of veteran Max Scherzer (who threw off a bullpen mound prior to Tuesday’s game) Schneider said the team has yet to decide on who will face the Red Sox on Wednesday. It’s expected that journeyman veteran Casey Lawrence, who was claimed off of waivers from the Seattle Mariners on the weekend and landed in the Rogers Centre clubhouse prior to Tuesday’s contest.

VARSHO RETURNS

As expected, Gold Glove-winning centre fielder Daulton Varsho rejoined the team after a long winter and spring rehabbing his right shoulder from offseason surgery.

Varsho immediately returned to his spot in centre field while Will Wagner, who had struggled at the plate, was sent down to triple A Buffalo to make room on the roster.

“Just be myself,” Varsho said of his expectations. “Don’t try to do too much and just go out there and play.”

When he does that free and easy, Varsho can play centre field exquisitely, covering all the angles with his range as if he was patrolling a pickle ball court.

At the plate, he brings the possibility to add some power at least, especially he hits the way he was during spring training.

“We’re not asking Varsh to save our offence,” Schneider said. “We wen this to fit in. He understands what kind of player he is, what kind of hitter he is. We’re not asking him to come in and hit 40 homers. I think he’s really aware of what he does for this lineup when he’s at his best.”