What Happened
Kazuma Okamoto hit a two-run home run, his first in a Blue Jays jersey, during Toronto’s 4-3 pre-season loss to the New York Mets on Monday. The 29-year-old slugger, who made his debut on Saturday, opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning with a powerful shot that traveled 431 feet to center field, registering an exit velocity of 103.4 m.p.h.
Why It Matters
Okamoto’s performance is significant as he was signed to a four-year, $60-million deal on January 4, after spending his entire 11-year career with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan. During his time in Nippon Professional Baseball, he achieved a career batting average of .277, with 248 home runs and 717 runs batted in. The Blue Jays are utilizing Okamoto at third base and batting him sixth in the lineup, indicating their confidence in his abilities to contribute to the team’s success this season.
What’s Next
Following the loss to the Mets, the Blue Jays will host the New York Yankees on Tuesday. Additionally, the team is evaluating the role of lefty Eric Lauer, who is vying for a spot in the starting rotation after a successful previous season. Manager John Schneider acknowledged Lauer’s aspirations, stating that the team is prepared to adapt as needed during spring training.
