Blue Jays left-handed pitcher Tim Mayza, who recently had one of his strongest seasons on the field, found himself working as a bat boy for the first three innings of Toronto’s Grapefruit League opener against the Phillies on Saturday.
The reason behind this unusual task?
According to TSN, the 32-year-old was serving a penalty for finishing last in the team’s fantasy football league last year. As a result, Mayza was spotted on the field in Dunedin, Florida, retrieving bats during Saturday afternoon’s game.
Mayza was scheduled to fulfill his new responsibilities for a duration of three innings.
To compound the humiliation, Mayza was also required to wear a jersey bearing the number “4-10,” symbolizing the record that relegated him to the bottom of the league standings.
The report highlighted that Mayza, the most senior member of the Blue Jays, faced setbacks during the football season, partially due to Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins’ season-ending injury, despite having star Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill on his team.
Mayza is expected to play a crucial role in Toronto’s bullpen this season, having delivered three consecutive strong performances. The Blue Jays are aiming to advance beyond the wild-card round for the first time since 2016.
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