With starter Brandon Morrow already starting the season on the disabled list, the Toronto Blue Jays now might have to worry about another starter, 2010 team wins leader Brett Cecil.
Cecil, who pitched five and a third innings during the Jays 5-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, told reporters after the game that he couldn't get his fastballs, which usually are in the low 90mph range much past 87 or 88 miles.
"Anybody in the league can jump on 87 if it's elevated a little bit," Cecil told the Toronto Star on Thursday. "[Expletive deleted], I'd be happy if my arm hurt, at least I'd know why the [expletive deleted] the velocity is down."
While the 24-year-old Cecil is frustrated, he told the media that his arm feels fine, and that people shouldn't worry.
"I don't think anybody's concerned. Shouldn't be," Cecil told the Star. "If I'm still throwing 84, 85 come All-Star Break, then I'll be a little bit concerned."
Pitching coach Bruce Walton was asked about Cecil's struggles with velocity thus far on Friday, and didn't seem overly worried.
"I can give you all kind of theories, but I just don't have any," Walton told the Toronto Sun. "He's gone through this before, it's not the first time.
"We've seen it every year. It happens at different times. But it's come back."
Cecil will make his final spring training start Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles.
With files from the Toronto Star and Toronto Sun
