Blue Jay Jonathan Davis has been the feel-good story of spring training. Cracking the opening-day roster was a cheesecake moment

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This article was published 28/03/2021 (1687 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Leave it to Jonathan Davis to put a smile on everyone’s face. Following a recent spate of injuries, there hasn’t been a lot of positivity surrounding the Blue Jays in the lead-up to opening day, but the recent news surrounding the speedy outfielder changed all that for at least a few hours.

On Saturday, Charlie Montoyo had the pleasure of informing Davis he was going to make the big-league roster out of spring training. As the 28-year-old, who has been with the organization since 2013, attempted to process the news, the first words out of his mouth were: “For real?”

These are the kind of moments that attracted Montoyo to managing in the first place. For almost a decade at Triple-A Durham, he had the privilege of getting to tell his players when they were heading to The Show. This weekend he got to do it all over again after Davis won a spot on his roster as a reserve outfielder.

The reason everyone around the Jays is so happy for Davis is simple: He’s one of the organization’s most popular players — the guy who is always bouncing off the walls with positive energy, is every bit as respectful as his brother-in-law Anthony Alford, and has an uncanny ability to brighten everyone’s day. Davis’ character makes him easy to root for, especially after toiling for seven seasons in the minor leagues waiting for his shot.

All you need to know about his personality is that the first text he sent after sitting down with Montoyo, first base coach Mark Budzinski and third base coach Luis Rivera was to his wife Hannah. “We made the roster,” he informed her — not I, we. Hannah then got to share the news through a family group chat, and the two later celebrated with a special dessert.

“I wanted to call her right away, but I decided to wait,” said Davis, who went 1-for-2 with a stolen base in Sunday’s 4-4 tie with the Detroit Tigers. “I texted her after the game and said, ‘Babe, we made the roster.’ She had every bit to do with it as I do, as much as she sacrificed during the season and in the off-season. I think it really helped me be able to be ready for this moment and be ready for this spring.”

Davis’ first stint with the Jays this season might be a short one. Outfielder George Springer remains questionable for opening day because of a strained oblique muscle. He is expected to be evaluated again on Monday, but it seems likely that the Jays will wait until closer to Thursday’s opener before making a final decision on his status.

If Springer is unable to go during the first week of the season, Davis’ spot as a fourth outfielder is secure. If Springer returns, there’s a good chance Davis will be optioned to the minors when the Jays eventually add a ninth reliever to their bullpen. Even if that happens, Davis will be on the roster again at some point. He’s been here before and he’ll be back.

The native of Arkansas could eventually carve out a role on the big-league roster because he brings speed and well-above-average defence, two things the Jays don’t have much of. He’s an ideal candidate to pinch run late in games, and an argument could be made the club’s best late-inning defensive alignment would see Davis in centre with Springer moving to right, like he did for the bulk of his career in Houston.

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The skill set is a perfect fit for what this team needs, but Davis is still going to be caught up in the numbers game for much of the year. He currently sits fifth on the outfield depth chart behind Springer, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Teoscar Hernandez and Randal Grichuk. Injuries will have to happen for Davis to get much playing time, but his presence will become even more important if the club makes a push for the post-season late in the year when rosters expand.

Making the opening-day roster doesn’t mean Davis will still be there a week or two later, but in a moment like this, it doesn’t matter. There’s a symbolic significance to cracking a big-league roster at the end of camp. Knowing that a .306 average with four extra-base hits and four stolen bases was enough to impress the bosses. It’s the kind of experience all kids dream about while going through their own spring tryouts.

“I think it just speaks to hard work, dedication and persistence,” said Davis, who has 27 hits in 135 career at-bats in the majors. “I think everything I’ve gone through, everything I’ve been through, was worth it. It allowed me to grow, and I’ve matured over the years. I’ve been able to grow as a player more than anything. (Saturday) just reflecting on my past, and being able to actually be there for opening day, me and my wife, it was a long time coming. We celebrated over a piece of cheesecake. It was a great moment, man.”

A moment that Davis will never forget for the rest of his life, no matter what happens after this. It’s the kind of feel-good story every team needs this time of year and based on everything Davis has brought to the Blue Jays organization since his arrival as a 15th-round pick, it’s also one that was well earned.

Gregor Chisholm is a Toronto-based baseball columnist for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @GregorChisholm or reach him via email: gchisholm@thestar.ca