Blue Jays: Otto Lopez finalist for a position

BET À DAY

Otto Lopez would be one of the finalists for a reserve position with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Quebecer continued his momentum in preseason games by producing the team's only point in a 4-1 loss against the Detroit Tigers on Saturday in Dunedin. 

According to Sports Illustrated magazine reporter Mitch Bannon, Lopez is in contention with Vinny Capra and Nathan Lukes for a job with the Jays. The shortstop has the best batting average of the three, with .444.

Lopez was called upon to replace Matt Chapman in the batting order in the eighth inning. Coming in front of pitcher Yaya Chentouf with the bases loaded, the Montrealer drew a base on walks. Michael Turnoci crossed the plate from third base.

Having had an excellent World Baseball Classic with Canada, the Dominican-born player shows serious arguments. With the Jays, he had eight hits, four RBIs and six laps of the trails.

The Toronto squad, however, ran out of gas against the Tigers. They scored their four runs in the fourth inning. Parker Meadows notably went there with a three-run homer to right field.

Soft contribution from Toro

In Mesa, Arizona, Abraham Toro made two at bats for the Milwaukee Brewers, who defeated the Oakland Athletics by a score of 6 to 5.

The Quebecer is rather discreet in this preseason with an average in stick of .182 in the month of March. The Lavallois reached the cushions on Saturday on a walk. The next batter, Brian Anderson, started a double play, however, and Toro was called out at second base.

The Brewers broke the tie 5-5 in the ninth inning thanks to a double payout from Wes Clarke .

At the Minnesota Twins, the formation was split in two to face the Atlanta Braves. The Quebecer Édouard Julien was not used in any of the meetings. It shows an average of .300 so far.