» Blue Jays finalize opening day roster, confirm Scherzer ready to go

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The flight plan is in place for the Blue Jays, who were scheduled to jet north to Toronto following Sunday’s Grapefruit League finale in Dunedin, Fla.

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And now the passenger list is confirmed.

Manager John Schneider put the finishing pieces together for his opening day roster – Thursday at the Rogers Centre against the Baltimore Orioles – announcing a final round of cuts and additions on Sunday.

Of note, spring training sensation Alan Roden as well as Will Wagner, Myles Straw and Nathan Lukes were told  that they had made the opening day roster and would join the charter ride to Pearson International. The most notable final cut was infielder Addison Barger.

And then in a mid-game, on-camera interview with Sportsnet on Sunday, Schneider confirmed that Max Scherzer’s thumb issues have abated enough that he will be fit enough to start the season in the third spot in the rotation.

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As well, the manager filled out the remainder of roster dropping the news that Jacob Barnes and Richard Lovelady would be the final two additions to the bullpen.

If there was a mild surprise it was the cut of Barger, who was batting .367 in the spring and was one of the team’s better hitters. But there weren’t many options for him defensively and he’ll head to triple A Buffalo where, if he performs, he’ll loom as the next man up.

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Straw didn’t exactly attract much positive fanfare when the Jays traded for him to free up international bonus pool money while in pursuit of Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki. But he’s quietly had a strong spring and his defensive prowess makes him a timely addition, at least, as centre fielder Daulton Varsho begins the season on the injured list.

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Wagner, who had a hustling double on Sunday looms as a versatile addition in that manager John Schneider has the flexibility to use him at first and third base as well as designated hitter. In other words – the Jays will want to get that bat in the lineup as often as possible.

Schneider raved about the potential influence of Roden, a third round selection of the Jays in the 2022 draft.

“He’s the epitome of what we’re trying to do in the minor league system,” Schneider told Buck Martinez and Dan Shulman. “I really think he can be an impact player for us for a long period of time. Fans are going to like the way he plays. He plays hard.”

With Sunday’s announcements and the evening charter set to fly, the Jays are set to start the season.

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Here’s a look at the 26-man roster:

Catchers – Alejandro Kirk, fresh off his five-year, $58 million US extension agreed to on Saturday night, will be expected to be behind the plate for 110-plus games. Tyler Heineman will back him up.

Infield – Vlad Guerrero Jr. at first, Andres Gimenez (2nd), Bo Bichette (shortstop) Ernie Clement and Will Wagner (third.)

Outfield – Anthony Santander (mostly left), Myles Straw (centre), George Springer (right) and Nathan Lukes, Alan Roden and Davis Schneider to fill in the pieces.

Rotation (in order) – Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman, Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt and Bowden Francis.

Bullpen – Jeff Hoffman, Yimi Garcia, Chad Green, Brendon Little, Nick Sandlin, Jacob Barnes, Richard Lovelady, Yariel Rodriguez.

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