Source: Steve Buffery, National Post, March 23, 2016
DUNEDIN, Fla. — Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman will be the club’s opening day starter on April 3 in Tampa, manager John Gibbons confirmed on Wednesday.
Gibbons said there’s also a good chance that the 24-year-old will start in the Jays home opener at the Rogers Centre on April 8 against the Boston Red Sox.
“That’s a possibility. We could do that too, yeah,” said Gibbons. “We’ve talked about that.”
The Jays are expecting big things from Stroman this year, hoping he establishes himself as a bona fide ace. Last year, the New York native tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, and underwent surgery, performed by Dr. James Andrews. It was initially thought that he’d be lost for the season but he was activated from the 60-day disabled list on September 11 and caught fire, finishing the season by going with a 4–0 record, 1.67 ERA, and 18 strikeouts in 27 IP. He also pitched well in the post-season.
The Jays have yet to announce the fifth starter for the rotation and whether veteran Drew Storen or Roberto Osuna will be the closer. It’s all but certain that Kevin Pillar will be the leadoff hitter after Ben Revere was traded in the off-season to Washington.