The Toronto Blue Jays appear to have finalized their rotation for the 2012 season.
The team has recalled right-hander Joel Carreno from New Hampshire (AA) and it is expected that he will fill the third spot in the Jays rotation.
The team also sent lefty Brett Cecil to New Hampshire after a disastrous final spring training start on Monday saw him surrender seven earned runs and 11 hits to the Detroit Tigers in four innings. The team also sent lefty Aaron Laffey to Las Vegas (AAA).
As a result, the Jays rotation appears to be finalized, at least for the first week. Ricky Romero will get the ball on Opening Day in Cleveland. Brandon Morrow will follow on Friday, with Carreno rounding out the series.
Henderson Alvarez will then get the ball for the team's home opener against Boston, with Kyle Drabek filling the fifth spot in the rotation.
Jays' manager John Farrell told the National Post that the team would go with a four-man rotation after the first week of the season and that it would likely continue until April 21. The odd man out of the four-man rotation is yet to be determined.
The 25-year-old Cecil's spring started out well, with the lefty surrendering just one run over a combined 10 innings in his first four outings. However, his final two starts were less than impressive, as he surrendered four runs in four innings to Tampa Bay on March 23 before his disastrous start on Monday.
Appearing in parts of three seasons with the Jays, Cecil has amassed a 26-22 career record with a 4.64 earned-run average, a 1.40 WHIP and 273 strikeouts. He had a career year in 2010, posting a 15-7 record in 172.2 innings pitched.
Carreno, also 25, made three appearances with the Jays this spring, none of them starts. He posted a 0-0 record, allowing three earned runs in five innings.
He made 11 bullpen appearances for the Jays in 2011, posting a 1-0 record and a 1.15 earned-run average with 14 strikeouts over 15.2 innings pitched.
The team is also without right-hander Dustin McGowan, who is expected to be out at least three-to-four weeks with a foot injury.
