DUNEDIN, Fla. – Down the rightfield line at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium, spring home of the Toronto Blue Jays, on a wall lining the main concourse, there are a number of baseballs commemorating former Class A Dunedin Blue Jays players who have passed through and onto major league teams.
Near the end of those baseballs are two names, one on top of the other: Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd.
On Thursday, both young left-handers, now employed by the Tigers, played parts in how the competition for the final rotation spot will unfold.
Boyd was beaten up a bit in his fifth spring start, allowing four runs — three earned — and seven hits over 31/3 innings in a 6-4 loss to the Jays.