Gausman set for Spring debut
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The final member - and likely Opening Day starter - of the Toronto Blue Jays' rotation is set to make his spring debut.
Kevin Gausman will take the mound Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Gausman, who typically eases into his workload each spring, has been staying sharp by throwing batting practice sessions and working on the side, gradually building up both his body and his routine.
Part of the reason for Gausman's delayed debut stems from a slight shift in his offseason approach - one that saw him bulk up a bit more than usual. Manager John Schneider even described him as «sturdier» heading into camp.
Over the winter, Gausman made a conscious effort to add muscle, knowing that he tends to lose weight as the season wears on. His goal is to finish the year stronger than he did in 2024.
I'm a skinny guy, so if I'm losing weight it's probably not a good thing. I'm always trying to come into camp as heavy as I can be. I'm probably going to be the heaviest right now that I'll be all year - that's just how my body works. I'm trying to give myself more at the top end of the season so there's more left at the back end. That food in Louisiana's pretty good, too.
Although Gausman still logged 181 innings last year, his 2024 was uneven at times. His 3.83 ERA marked his highest since 2019, though he still managed to keep it under 4.00 for the fifth straight year.
The extra weight and added strength could also help with a lingering shoulder issue that affected his command late last season.
Despite the slow ramp-up, Gausman's spring has been productive so far - he's reached at least 30 pitches in each of his live batting practice sessions. He's now on track to close out camp with a pair of five-inning, 75-pitch outings - a spring buildup he didn't quite achieve last year.
A fully healthy, fully prepared Kevin Gausman would be a major boost for a Blue Jays team looking to bounce back in 2025.
