Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Brett Cecil throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers during an exhibition spring baseball game in Dunedin, Fla., on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011.Nathan Denette
Brett Cecil might be learning something about himself.
The Toronto Blue Jays' No. 3 starter served up a three-run home run to Dan Uggla Thursday to signal his exit from a 5-3 Grapefruit League loss to the Atlanta Braves after 5 1/3 innings of six-hit, five-strikeout ball. A tailor-made double play grounder botched by Mike McCoy ahead of the homer did not appease him.
"As far as stuff - everything's good, it's just that the velocity is not there," Cecil said. "It's been hit or miss all spring. I thought it might be a mechanical problem. This game, I had something on [the fastball] But it still has to climb."
Cecil, who is steadfast in maintaining he has no health problems, has given up 20 hits in 18 2/3 innings this spring. The Blue Jays say his velocity was down a notch at the start of last season, too, and even Cecil mentioned it's not unusual. But that doesn't make it any less frustrating.
"Pitchers take different paths toward gaining their velocity," Blue Jays manager John Farrell said. "The fact is, he has the weapons to pitch even if his velocity is not mid-season."
Farrell did not entirely dismiss the notion that Cecil's body might be going through adaptive changes. Cecil was converted from a college reliever to starter while he was progressing rapidly through the Blue Jays' minor-league system.
Cecil should have talked to Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, who left the park with problems of his own - Braves starter Jair Jurrjens was taken out as a precaution after experiencing discomfort in his side in the first inning - and who saw little wrong with Cecil.
"The kid pitched good," Gonzalez said. "He had a good high fastball, a good change-up and breaking ball. He had us baffled. I don't know if fatigue got to him, or what."