Spring Training

Rick Madonik, Staff Photographer - @RMadonik

Brett Lawrie stretches after his stint in the batting cage.

 

Tomorrow marks the first day of workouts for the full squad of the 2013 Toronto Blue Jays at their Dunedin, Florida, home. The regular season is just over 6 weeks away with Grapefruit League action set to begin next week.

The Jays made some big moves over the winter, and expectations are high for this year. There's a new/old manager with John Gibbons returning to a role he previously held years ago. His starting pitching rotation has some big names, and big talents (RA Dickey, Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle) which should help the skipper lead the way. Additons to the infield and outfield (Jose Reyes and Melky Cabrera) only add to the strengths of current players Jose Bautista, Brett Lawrie and Edwin Encarnacion (to name a few).

Bautista has been giddy, literally, the last few days with the arrival of his new teammates. The final roster is a long way from being set, but with a solid core of players both on the defensive and offensive ends, this could be a year the Jays go far. Dare we say, very far.

For the last 6 days, I've been at camp filing both pictures and video back to Toronto. Here's a look at some of the pictures filed.

For videos:

Melky Cabrera meets the media and talks about his positive test last season.

Mark Buehrle on his pit bull that is banned in Ontario

Blue Jays report to start the 2013 Grapefruit League

Jose Bautista watches some of his teammates taking batting practice during an easy workout at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.

Back up catchers, Henry Blanco (left) and Josh Thole chat. Thole is the catcher who came along with RA Dickey to handle the knuckle baller.

Jose Bautista, with his bat over his head, stretches as he prepares to hit some balls during batting practice at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.

 Brett Lawrie's left arm is full sleave tatto these days as outfielder Jose Bautista and he chat.

Melky Cabrera waits for his time in the batting cage, on Friday, February 15, 2013 at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.

Melky Cabrera faces the media before the morning workout. Toronto Blue Jays continue spring training, with most, if not all of the squad, now in camp.

Toronto Blue Jays go through their warm up routine as gloves dot the field as the team continues spring training, with most, if not all of the squad, now in camp.

Jose Reyes stretches out his legs. Toronto Blue Jays continue spring training.

Two fellow Canadians walking to batting practice are Adam Loewen (left) and Brett Lawrie, on Friday, February 15, 2013 at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.

Manager John Gibbons watches infielders take batting practice, on Friday, February 15, 2013 at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.

Edwin Encarnacion bats his glove near the end of the morning work out.

Players shadows fall on bats and gloves as position players gather to start the morning work out.

 Jays fielders go through the warm up routine loosening up their arms and shoulders.

Brett Lawrie's left arm with his full sleave tattoo.

Jose Reyes watches some teammates balls fly from batting practice and waits his turn in the batting cage.

 Adam Lind (right) and Brett Lawrie, wait their turns in the batting cage.

Jose Bautista (left) and JP Arencibia, go for a run following the easy workout at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.

Pitcher RA Dickey works out on his own following the informal workout today.

Infielder Brett Lawrie (left) speaks with Manager John Gibbons.

Manager John Gibbons craddles a ball while talking with the media.

 JP Arencibia limbers up a weighted bat before batting practic on  Wednesday, February 13, 2013, at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.

Manager John Gibbons watches catchers during batting practice.

 Catchers Josh Thole (left) and JP Arencibia chat in the outfield while other catchers take batting practice.

PITCHERS

 RA Dickey, the newly acquired knuckle ball ace for the Toronto Blue Jays, speaks to the media following a light work out today, Monday, February 11, 2013, at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.

RA Dickey stretches after a light work out, Monday, February 11, 2013, at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.

 RA Dickey cast a shadow as he goes through a light work out today, Monday, February 11, 2013, at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.

Pitcher RA Dickey was in camp early for Spring Training as The Toronto Blue Jays gear up for gradefruit season.

 As pitcher RA Dickey, members of the staff gather to watch the knuckleballer.

RA Dickey (right) does some sprints during a conditioning drill.

 Pitcher Brett Cecil hurls toward a teammate during an unofficial throwing session.

Pitcher Dave Bush also gets in some time before others arrive at camp.

Pitcher Mark Buehrle speaks to the media about the trade to Toronto and his decision to not bring his family with him due to his ownership of a dog banned for ownership in Ontario. Buehrle spoke on  Wednesday, February 13, 2013, at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.

Dustin McGowan, in the middle of the pack, as pitchers go thru a warm up routine.

Pitcher Brad Lincoln works in the bullpen as coaches evaluate those in camp.

Pitcher Sergio Santos, during his wind up, appears to have a hand growing out of top of his head.

Casey Janssen works in the bullpen.

Mickey Storey.

Ricky Romero takes a calming breathe before delivering a pitch in the bull pen.

Ricky Romero keeps and eye on the ball as it heads toward the plate.

Newly acquired Josh Johnson works out.

Josh Johnson watches his ball head toward the catcher.

The item pitchers love to control and what batters love to connect with, the official ball of MLB by Rawlings.

 

 

Comments

[@ultimatetoronto]

I get baseball fever just looking at these shots. More Adam Lind pics tho!

[Beth]

Can we say man crush on Brett Lawrie's left arm haha