Rehab Update: Brandon Morrow, Frank Francisco, Cory Patterson

BLUE JAYS NOTES:

DUNEDIN, Fl.– [RSEN] RHP Brandon Morrow (right elbow/forearm) made his first start in almost three weeks allowing five runs, four earned on eight hits while walking one and striking out two and throwing two wild pitches for Class-A Dunedin.

     “My arm felt great, I was just throwing stuff down the middle,” said Morrow who lasted just 2 1/3 innings throwing 47-pitches.  “They were hacking (Clearwater) it seems like they hit everything they swung at.”

     Morrow will continue his rehab with Dunedin, “I believe it will be in five days here in Dunedin.”

     Also joining Morrow on rehab was RHP Frank Francisco (tightness right pectoral muscle, inflammation right bicep muscle) who went one inning allowing two runs on one hit while walking one and striking out one on 22-pitches.

     “For the first time I feel real good,” said Francisco, “Now I am going to take a couple of days rest, throw a couple of long toss on flat ground then pitch again here.”

     Outfielder Corey Patterson also started his rehab assignment with Dunedin, playing centerfield and going 0-4 at the plate.

     “It was good to get out there again in game situations,” said Patterson, “I’d say I will be here another day or two, a couple of days max.”

     Patterson was hit in the head by a pitch on March 25 during a game in Ft. Myers against the Red Sox.

     Toronto’s first round pick in the June 2010 draft Deck McGuire threw four shutout innings in his pro debut for Dunedin allowing three hits while walking one striking out five and hitting a batter.

     “It’s indescribable right now,” said McGuire, “In spring training it was nice to get my feet wet but the first real one is nice to have out of the way.”