DUNEDIN, Florida – On Wednesday, it was J.A. Happs turn to play in the ongoing game of hot potato, better known as the competition to determine who will comprise the back end of the Blue Jays starting rotation. When the figurative music stops on March 31, Opening Day, general manager Alex Anthopoulos, manager John Gibbons and pitching coach Pete Walker will make whats becoming an increasingly difficult decision thanks to consistently mediocre to subpar performances by the candidates. Walker said before Wednesdays 11-6 win over the Phillies that the game was a "big start" for Happ. He needed to pitch in the strike zone. Happ needed to force Philadephias hitters to make contact. He was scheduled to pitch four or five innings with a pitch count of 70, give or take a few. Turns out Happ threw 71 pitches but did so in only 2 2/3 innings. Only 34 of those pitches were strikes. He laboured, to be generous, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks. Afterward, Happ saw his afternoon in a positive light. "It was good," he said. "I felt strong out there. Maybe a little too good but everything was good. Health was good." The health to which Happ refers is his back, an ailment which has kept him out of Grapefruit League action since he was pulled in the first inning of a March 3 start against the Twins. Happ intends to focus on developing his rhythm, interrupted due to injury, next time out. Hes looking to more consistently harness the new arm slot he employed in the final month of last season. Happ watched video of his start and noticed hed reverted to an over-the-top angle. Its all in the name of better efficiency. "Thats the same story for everybody," said Gibbons. "To be successful in the big leagues youve got to throw a lot of strikes. Youve got to throw that strike one. You fall behind guys, it turns everything in the hitters favour and just the opposite for the pitcher. Hes capable of doing that." Two weeks ago, the 31-year-old was bothered by Anthopoulos suggestion that his spot in the starting rotation was in question. Happ isnt dwelling on it now, saying he cant worry about what he cant control. Its apparent he will be on the team, as will Esmil Rogers and Todd Redmond, his competitors for a final rotation job. The question is who will be the starter and which two will work out of a bullpen which is expected to feature eight relievers. Its believed Happ is in the drivers seat, partly because Rogers doesnt throw enough of his repertoire for strikes and Redmond tends to struggle once the oppositions lineup turns over. Remember, too, that Happ is owed $5.2 million this year on an extension signed the day Ricky Romero was cut from camp last spring. The idea of having $12.7 million on the books for Happ and Romero, with neither in the starting rotation, cant be a pleasant one. "I dont feel like Im far," said Happ. "You guys, youre going to take that outing for what it was and it doesnt look pretty. Pitch-wise, like I said, Im up to 70 and next time be 85-90 and still feel strong thatll be a good thing. Im close." "Im looking forward to his next start," said Gibbons. "Thats all Ive got to say." The game of hot potato continues on Thursday when the Blue Jays visit the Phillies. Another back end of the rotation candidate gets the start. Over to you, Esmil Rogers. ROMERO AND STROMAN REASSIGNED Ricky Romero and Marcus Stroman shipped out to minor league camp on Wednesday morning. Both were outsiders, at best, to crack the opening day roster but both impressed at times during Grapefruit League play. "We just feel they both need more work," said manager John Gibbons. "As far as Ricky, hes moving in the right direction. We really like what he did this camp. Just go down there and polish it up. Stro, hes kind of the odd man out. He had trouble throwing strikes (Tuesday). Hes got to do that. They both need more work." After two down years the bar wasnt set high for Romero. With that as a consideration, its fair to say he exceeded expectations. He had two positive outings before he cratered against the Tigers on Tuesday, reverting to his wild ways. "He showed us enough in the previous two outings before (Tuesday) that you know what, hey, its coming," said Gibbons. "Its a long road and you never really know whether a guy is going to make it back or not but he was starting to show the signs of it." Stroman showed flashes of the pitcher the Blue Jays believe he will become but he was inconsistent all spring, culminating with an ugly performance on Tuesday. The Tigers knocked him around for seven runs on five hits in one-third of an inning. "We brought Stroman in, he pitched in Double-A for us and he had a legitimate shot (at making the club,") said Gibbons. "We dont think hes quite ready. Hes not polished yet so hes got to go down there and work on some things." The Jays still need to add two to a rotation which features R.A. Dickey, Brandon Morrow and Mark Buehrle. While the pitching coach offers praise to Drew Hutchison, Pete Walker wont yet guarantee him a spot. "Not ready to say that," said Walker. "Obviously, were extremely pleased with the way hes thrown the ball. Hes certainly shown hes capable of getting major league hitters out. His velocity, his strength, his bounce back, right now, after outings has been fantastic. Hes shown poise on the mound. Hes done everything you need to do to earn a spot, theres no question, but were just in a position right now, were sorting through some things to make sure we make the right decision." SANCHEZ AROUND FOR EXPERIENCE Aaron Sanchez is getting plenty of opportunity to pitch in Grapefruit League games, often the back end of a starters piggyback. Hes thrown as many as four innings in a game and is scheduled to work in relief of Todd Redmond against the Rays on Friday. "He wont make the team," said manager John Gibbons. "We want to keep him around, pitching in some of these games for the experience factor." Sanchez, 21, is considered the Jays top pitching prospect. He threw 109 2/3 innings combined with High-A Dunedin and in the Arizona Fall League last season. Its expected he will begin the year at Double-A New Hampshire. Pat Valaika Jersey . - The Minnesota Vikings have ruled Christian Ponder out for Sundays game at Baltimore, because the quarterback has not yet passed all of his post-concussion tests. Ian Desmond Jersey . 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Myles Bell and Rourke Chartier each had a goal and an assist for the Rockets (40-6-2), who extended their win streak to four games, while Marek Tvrdon, Justin Kirkland and Tyson Baillie scored a goal apiece. Defencemen Lenny Hackman and Kade Jensen both were minus-3 for the Hurricanes (9-38-5), who dropped their eighth game in a row and sit last in the WHL standings. Lethbridges Jonny Hogue turned away 44-of-49 shots in a losing cause. --- REBELS 4 PATS 0 REGINA -- Patrik Bartosak stopped all 41 shots his way as Red Deer blanked the Pats for its fourth straight win. Scott Feser had a pair of goals for the Rebels (26-21-2) while Aspen Sterzer and Presten Kopeck added the others. Dawson MacAuley allowed four goals on 19 shots for Regina (25-21-5) before giving way to Daniel Wapple, who stopped seven shots in 16 minutes of relief. Red Deer went 1 for 5 on the power play as the Pats failed to score on eight chances with the man advantage. --- BLADES 3 BRONCOS 2 (OT) SASKATOON -- MacKenzie Johnston scored 3:16 into overtime and Troy Trombley made 40 saves as the Blades slipped past Swift Current. Cory Millette and Nikita Scherbak scored in regulation for Saskatoon (14-33-4) and Dylan Busenius assisted on both. The Broncos (25-18-8) got goals from Andrew Johnson and Colby Cave. Swift Currents Landon Bow turned away 35-of-38 shots in a losing cause. --- WHEAT KINGS 6 COUGARS 3 BRANDON -- Peter Quenneville scored twice and Ryan Pulock had a goal and an assist as the Wheat Kings doubled up Prince George. Quinton Lisoway, Eric Roy and Ryan Pilon also scored for Brandon (26-17-5) and Tim McGauley had two assists. Todd Fiddler scored once for the Cougars (18-26-7) and set up Jansen Harkins and Klarc Wilson. Curtis Honey made 25 saves for the Wheat Kings as Ty Edmonds stopped 25-of-30 shots for Prince George. --- OIL KINGS 7 HITMEN 3 EDMONTON -- Riley Keiser had a goal and two assists and Brett Pollock scored twice as the Oil Kings toppled Calgary for their fourth win in a row. Curtis Lazar, Tyler Robertson, Brandon Baddock and Griffin Reinhart also scored for Edmonton (32-13-1) while Tristan Jarry made 26 saves for the win. Greg Chase had a pair of goals for the Hitmen (31-11-5), and also assisted on Adam Tambelllinis goal.dddddddddddd Chris Driedger started in net for Calgary but was pulled after giving up five goals on 27 shots in 24 minutes of action. Mack Shields turned aside 17-of-19 shots in relief. --- ICE 6 WARRIORS 2 CRANBROOK, B.C. -- Sam Reinhart had a hat trick and Luke Philip scored once and set up two more as Kootenay handed Moose Jaw its seventh straight loss. Landon Peel and Tim Bozon also scored for the Ice (24-20-4) while Rinat Valiev chipped in with three assists. Scott Cooke and Jack Rodewald scored for the Warriors (13-28-8). Mackenzie Skapski made 31 saves for Kootenay. Moose Jaws Justin Paulic allowed five goals on 33 shots before giving way to Brody Wills, who stopped 5-of-6 shots in nine minutes of relief. --- TIGERS 4 BLAZERS 0 KAMLOOPS, B.C. -- Nick Schneider only had to make 19 saves for his first-career shutout as Medicine Hat blanked the Blazers. Cole Sanford and Curtis Valk each had a goal and an assist for the Tigers (28-17-3) while Blake Penner and Miles Koules added the others. Sam Grist was a team-worst minus-3 for Kamloops (11-33-5). Bolton Pouliot stopped 30-of-34 shots for the Blazers. --- ROYALS 3 GIANTS 1 VANCOUVER -- Patrik Polivka made 32 saves, including 12 in the third period, as Victoria hung on to defeat the Giants. Jordan Fransoo, Brandon Magee and Logan Nelson scored for the Royals (33-16-2), who jumped out to a 3-0 lead midway through the second period. Dalton Sward responded for Vancouver (24-19-8). 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