Spencer Miles will take the ball for the Toronto Blue Jays Friday evening against the Chicago White Sox to begin the second half of the regular season.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider told reporters over the All-Star break that the Jays will tentatively plan to go with Miles, Shane Bieber and Trey Yesavage as starters against the White Sox this weekend. They will be followed by Dylan Cease and Kevin Gausman next week against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Miles had previously been identified as an option to start since the Jays moved struggling left-hander Patrick Corbin to the bullpen earlier this month. Miles pitched three innings in a Canada-Day victory over the New York Mets and started the following week in San Francisco against the Giants. Miles’ last appearance came last Saturday in San Diego when he went two shutout innings in relief.
The 25-year-old has been solid so far this season for the Jays, posting an ERA of 2.85 with 57 strikeouts in 60.0 innings spread out over 26 appearances. He joined the Blue Jays in December after being selected in the Rule 5 Draft from the Giants.
Toronto resumes play Friday night six games below .500 at 45-51 sitting last in the American League East. However, they are only two and a half games back of the final AL wild-card spot.
