Bassitt saves Jays’ bullpen with six-inning outing

TORONTO – Following the news of Max Scherzer being placed on the 15-day disabled list, Toronto Blue Jays veteran pitcher Chris Bassitt understood the significance of his first start of the season.

With the Blue Jays bullpen struggling in the early games against the Baltimore Orioles, allowing 23 runs and 30 hits, including 10 home runs, Bassitt knew he needed to step up.

The 36-year-old Bassitt (1-0) delivered a solid 106-pitch performance in Toronto’s 3-1 victory, helping the team split the season-opening series on Sunday.

“We had a plan in place for Scherzer to ensure he starts off on the right foot,” said Bassitt, aware of Scherzer’s thumb inflammation issue at the start of the season.

Unfortunately, Scherzer’s Blue Jays debut was cut short after three innings on Saturday due to a strained right lat, which he described as a compensatory injury.

“We need him back as soon as possible to help us out,” Bassitt added. “That’s when we’ll really need him.”

Until Scherzer is ready to return to the rotation, the responsibility falls on Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman, Bassitt, and Bowden Francis to provide quality starts for the team.

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Bassitt played a crucial role in the Blue Jays’ (2-2) series finale, allowing eight hits while striking out seven and walking two.

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After giving up a run in the first inning on a wild pitch, Bassitt showcased his skill by pitching out of tough situations, leaving two runners on base in the third, fourth, and fifth innings.

In the third inning, he induced Cedric Mullins into a fly out with runners in scoring position. In the fourth, shortstop Bo Bichette turned a double play to end the inning.

During the fifth inning, Bassitt battled through a nine-pitch at-bat against Mullins, eventually striking him out. Mullins had been a thorn in the Blue Jays’ side with five hits in the series.

“The most important thing is to get through it,” Bassitt said of the lengthy at-bat against Mullins. “I was aiming to go deep into the game and relieve some pressure off our bullpen.

“I was hoping to go seven or eight innings today and be as efficient as possible.”

Blue Jays manager John Schneider praised Bassitt’s effective use of his splitter, cutter, and sinker during the game.

“He executed his pitches at a high level,” Schneider commented. “His pitch selection was spot on.”

Despite Bassitt throwing the wild pitch, Toronto catcher Tyler Heineman took responsibility for the lone run.

“Chris was outstanding,” Heineman said. “The Orioles have a strong lineup, and he navigated through some tough situations early on.

“If it weren’t for my missed block, he would have had a clean sheet. I thought he did a fantastic job mixing his pitches and locations. He gave us exactly what we needed on a day when our bullpen was thin.”

Heineman’s Home Run

Heineman went 5 1/2 years and 256 at-bats between home runs.

The backup catcher hit a solo home run in the seventh inning, breaking his long homerless streak. His only other home run came in his fourth Major League game, a two-run shot that helped the Miami Marlins defeat the New York Mets on Sept. 26, 2019.

He celebrated his recent home run with a bat flip.

“He’s been practicing that all spring,” Schneider joked.

“I’m going to say it was due to having a lot of pine tar on my hand and it sticking,” Heineman jokingly explained. “Honestly, I don’t remember doing it until I saw it on video.

“It was a bit too much. So if it offended anyone, I apologize because that wasn’t my intention.”

This article by The Canadian Press was originally published on March 30, 2025.

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