Blue Jays SP Morrow adds 16 pounds during offseason

The Toronto Blue Jays were ravaged by injury last season, and coming into 2014, pitcher Brandon Morrow wanted to do something about it. 

Playing in only 10 games in 2013 and 21 in 2012, Morrow gained 16 pounds since Opening Day in 2013. "I feel strong. I've never found fatigue in my legs to be a problem, even in the later innings, but I definitely feel stronger this spring."

Morrow said he lifted weights and paid attention to what he ate over the winter months. Pitching coach Pete Walker liked what he saw from Morrow, "I thought he had good pop on the ball, located the ball well and overall, felt really good about his outing... he looks great physically."

Manager John Gibbons agreed with Walker, "He looks strong. He looks like he’s supposed to look. Last year he didn’t look like that. He looks like a good, strong, starting, durable pitcher."

The hope is the extra weight will help Morrow stay away from injury.

Last season Morrow pitched 54 and 1/3 innings giving up 63 hits and 34 earned runs striking out 42.