Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Matt Shoemaker throws in the bullpen at the team's spring training facilities in Dunedin, Fla., on Feb. 16, 2020.Steve Nesius/The Canadian Press
Toronto right-hander Matt Shoemaker enjoyed a strong return from a long-term knee injury, leading the Blue Jays to a 4-0 preseason win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday.
Shoemaker struck out five and gave up just one hit in a 2 ⅔-inning spring start
The 33-year-old Shoemaker was 3-0 with a 1.57 earned-run average last year before suffering the injury in his first season with the Blue Jays.
Toronto catcher Danny Jansen opened the scoring Monday with a two-run homer in the second.
Third baseman Brandon Drury added an RBI single and Forrest Wall scored the fourth run on a passed ball.
Right-hander Trent Thornton, battling for a spot in the Toronto rotation, didn’t give up a hit in three innings of relief.
Six Toronto pitchers allowed a total of three hits.
The Blue Jays (6-2-2) have an off day Tuesday before returning to action Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte, Fla.