Toronto Blue Jays: Marcus Stroman shows frustration after being lifted from start

Marcus Stroman was none too pleased with being lifted from his start against the Chicago White Sox, and he made sure to let Charlie Montoyo know

Toronto Blue Jays starter Marcus Stroman was in the headlines again. Not for his performance on the field, but rather his outburst while leaving the game.

Following three straight singles from the White Sox in the seventh inning, Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo came out to the mound to pull Stroman. The Jays’ ace was visibly frustrated at the move, as he made sure to let Montoyo know of his displeasure before handing the ball off.

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Once Stroman returned to the dugout, he was once against caught on camera giving an earful to pitching coach Pete Walker. Montoyo and Stroman seemed to squash any problems minutes later.

Derek Law would come in and allow a pair of runs on one hit while walking two in 2/3 of an inning.

Chicago would go on to win the game 6-1.

Following the game, both Stroman and Montoyo chalked the incident up to the pitcher’s competitiveness.

"“I’m never happy to be leaving the game. My teammates, my coaches, everybody knows that. I want to be the guy with the ball always,” Stroman said postgame. “The last thing I’ve ever had in my head when a coach or manager comes to get me is ‘yes, I can’t wait to get out of this game.”‘"

The right-hander has never been one to shy away from saying what’s on his mind. In spring training, Stroman called out the organization for not starting talks on a long-term contract extension.

He was also vocal earlier in the year about the lack of veteran presence on the rebuilding team.

On the mound, he’s posted a 2.96 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP over 45 2/3 innings. Despite his best efforts, Stroman is currently sporting a 1-5 record – the Jays’ offence hasn’t done him any favours.

It’s no secret that the Blue Jays have been shopping Stroman over the last year. With the pitcher headed for his fourth year of arbitration this offseason, a trade wouldn’t be out of the question ahead of July’s non-waiver deadline.