Only a day after the Toronto Blue Jays got smashed on their opening day 12-2 by the Baltimore Orioles, their triple-A counterpart in Buffalo hopes to fare better as they host the Rochester Red Wings (Washington Nationals triple-A affiliate) for their Opening Day.
The March 28th game at Sahlen Field, NY, with a 2:05 p.m. first pitch, will be the earliest minor league game played since the 1951 season opened on the 27th of the month.
Taking the mound for the Bisons is the new face of Eric Lauer. The left-hander has bounced back and forth between triple-A and the majors, most recently pitching to a 5.26 ERA split between the Indianapolis Indians and Sugar Land Space Cowboys. His most recent MLB appearance was in 2023 with the Milwaukee Brewers, and he spent part of the 2024 season in Korea with the Kia Tigers.
He’ll face Andrew Alvarez, a fellow left-hander who earned his promotion to triple-A last season and went on to pitch in 16 games for the Red Wings in 2024 while posting a 4.58 ERA.
The Bisons’ complete roster for opening day features plenty of familiar faces who have made former appearances with the big league club:
Notably, top organizational prospects Orelvis Martinez and Jake Bloss will start the season with the team. Players who spent time with the Jays last year include Joey Loperfido, Steward Berroa, Jonatan Clase, and Addison Barger, who were all optioned to the minors late this spring. Also worth noting is Venezuelan-Canadian power threat Damiano Palmegiani. The slugger drafted out of Vauxhall, Alberta, slugged a Bisons-leading 19 home runs in 2024, tied with Will Robertson.
The battle behind the plate is worth keeping an eye on as well, as Christian Bethancourt and Ali Sanchez both continue to fight for a Blue Jays roster spot after getting beat out by Tyler Heineman for the backup role this spring.
Fans wanting to watch the game online can check Bally Sports Live locally or MiLB.TV outside of New York.
Bisons lineup:
  1. Steward Berroa – LF
  2. Jonatan Clase – CF
  3. Addison Barger – 3B
  4. Orelvis Martines – 2B
  5. Joey Loperfido – RF
  6. Damiano Palmegiani – DH
  7. Michael Stefanic – SS
  8. Ali Sanchez – C
  9. Rainer Nunez – 1B
Red Wings lineup:
  1. Robert Hassell III – CF
  2. Brady House – 3B
  3. Juan Yepez – 1B
  4. Franchy Cordero – DH
  5. Stone Garrett – LF
  6. Drew Millas – C
  7. Andrew Pinckney – RF
  8. Trey Lipscomb – 2B
  9. Nasim Nunez – SS