Both pitchers will begin '10 season in Minors

March 31, 2010

Brett Cecil (Silver Spring-Takoma T-Bolts 2005) impressed in his final spring start for the Toronto Blue Jays against the Philadelphia Phillies, allowing two runs on six hits over six innings to get the win. The lefty struck out four batters and did not issue a walk. Both runs came on solo home runs. Cecil defeated former Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay.

Despite a strong spring (Cecil finished with an ERA of ), Cecil was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas after the game, as the Jays opted to keep Dana Eveland --- who was out of minor league options --- on the Major League roster.

''I've done everything right,'' Cecil told Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. ''Some guys are out of options. Some guys, they didn't expect them to do as well as they did, and they earned their way on the team. I've got options. They were happy with everything, and I'm happy with everything. They just said, 'Be read.' I sure will be.

''I just know how fast things can turn around once the season starts. I saw a lot of that last year. I'm just happy I'm doing well, doing as well as I am --- that's all that matters. I just need to continue doing that and stay on the top of their list, as far as being the first pitcher up if something happens.''

''Brett made it tough,'' said Jays' GM Alex Anthopoulous. ''[T]he way he's starting to pitch, we told him we expect him to be back here soon.''

The Jays expect Cecil to be first in line for a promotion the Major League club should starter Brandon Morrow begin the season on the disabled list.

Meanwhile, Justin De Fratus (Rockville Express 2006) took advantage of a brief stint with the Phillies' Major League camp, tossing two scoreless innings against the Jays in the same game that Cecil started. De Fratus allowed two hits and a walk and struck out a batter. He will start the season in the Minors.