Blue Jays: Otto Lopez continues to promote his candidacy

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Major League baseball teams are only allowed to have 26 players on their roster at the start of the regular season, and Montreal's Otto Lopez is doing his best to make it count for the Toronto Blue Jays.

The infielder took advantage of two of his three at bats in a 3-0 win over the Minnesota Twins in a Grapefruit League matchup in Florida, Thursday.

After being grounded out in the first inning, the Dominican-born athlete forced gunner Tyler Mahle to give him a free pass in the third inning. A single from Orelvis Martinez saw him cross the plate a few moments later.

In the fifth period, Lopez once again complicated Mahle's task by hitting a single to right field at his expense . Vinny Capra's ball, however, ended the inning before he could score.

In 18 at-bats since the start of spring training camp, Lopez has hit eight from the safe and driven in three runs.

For their part, the Twins were muzzled by Yusei Kikuchi, him which seems ready for the start of the regular calendar. The Japanese gunner struck out nine in five innings, allowing only three hits and one walk.

The Blue Jays will miss the farewell tour of 'Adam Wainwright

To their regret – or happiness – the Blue Jays will not have the opportunity to face St. Louis Cardinals great pitcher Adam Wainwright during his farewell tour, since he is injured.

The 41-year-old ace was due to be on duty for the first game of the 2023 season, in a week, against the only Canadian team in major league baseball. This will be the only series between the two teams this season.

Wainwright will instead start the campaign among the crippled and will sit out for several weeks. He injured his groin while working out at the gym on Tuesday before the United States' game against Japan in the final of the World Baseball Classic.

Cardinals manager Oli Marmol, confirmed that he will not employ the veteran on March 30. Wainwright could have played the opener for the seventh time in his career. The American has never won the Cy-Young, but has won two Golden Gloves and as many Silver Sticks during his 17-season run.

Serious for Hoskins ?

The Philadelphia Phillies also received bad news on Thursday, when first baseman Rhys Hoskins injured his left knee during the preseason game against the Detroit Tigers.< /p>

It was while trying to remove Austin Meadows at the first cushion that he collapsed, visibly in pain. The team has yet to comment on the severity of the injury.

Hoskins hit 30 homers last season and had a .246 batting average.