![\"Morton](\"https:\/\/www.masnsports.com\/images\/easyblog_articles\/83207\/b2ap3_large_GettyImages-2203248285.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSARASOTA, Fla. \u2013 Charlie Morton will start the second game of the season on March 28 against the Blue Jays in Toronto. Two-thirds of the rotation is confirmed.<\/p>\n
Zach Eflin is the Opening Day starter on March 27. Dean Kremer and Tomoyuki Sugano, who pitches tonight, will slot further down.<\/p>\n
Morton, 41, has tossed six scoreless innings in his three spring starts. He signed a $15 million contract in January and is entering his 18th major league season.<\/p>\n
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\u201cHe\u2019s been everything,\u201d said manager Brandon Hyde. \u201cHe\u2019s been an amazing influence on our team so far already. Just with his interactions with guys. He\u2019s throwing the ball extremely well, he looks great. That\u2019s just Charlie Morton.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThe stuff he\u2019s thrown out every time out has been really good. He\u2019s brought a lot to our team already.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Shortstop Gunnar Henderson worked out again today and is taking batting practice, but he hasn\u2019t played since Feb. 27 due to a strained right intercostal. Four exhibition games remain after tonight, including Monday afternoon in D.C.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re still hopeful, but we are running out of time right now,\u201d Hyde said. \u201cWe haven\u2019t made a final decision on that.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Livan Soto could head to Toronto if Henderson isn\u2019t ready. He\u2019s 15-for-37 (.405) with a .990 OPS in 15 games and he’s able to play shortstop. Vimael Mach\u00edn\u2019s best position is second base.<\/p>\n F\u00e9lix Bautista hasn\u2019t appeared in a game since Friday against the Twins, but he\u2019s thrown on the back fields. His status also remains uncertain.<\/p>\n Hyde said \u201cno\u201d when asked whether he\u2019s confident that Bautista will be on the Opening Day roster.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re still talking about our roster,\u201d Hyde added. \u201cWe haven\u2019t solidified anything there yet.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n There\u2019s a possibility that a third bullpen spot opens if Bautista is removed from it and Albert Su\u00e1rez replaces Grayson Rodriguez in the rotation.<\/p>\n Andrew Kittredge will go on the injured list and could miss at least two months after undergoing cartilage repair surgery on his left knee.<\/p>\n Rodriguez played catch for the second time, following up Tuesday\u2019s flat-ground session.<\/p>\n Corner infielder Emmanuel Rivera said his left shoulder is feeling better but he remains unavailable to play. He wasn\u2019t expected to make the team and he\u2019s out of options.<\/p>\n Relievers behind Sugano tonight include Keegan Akin, Matt Bowman and Seranthony Dom\u00ednguez.<\/p>\n Eflin makes his final exhibition start Saturday afternoon against the Pirates – and Paul Skenes again – in Bradenton.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" SARASOTA, Fla. \u2013 Charlie Morton will start the second game of the season on March 28 against the Blue Jays in Toronto. Two-thirds of the rotation is… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":42947,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-42946","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\n