Blue Jay Cavan Biggio strikes back after a season that was all but lost

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This article was published 02/04/2022 (1329 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BRADENTON, Fla.—There were times last year when Cavan Biggio found himself stuck in a hotel room in Buffalo, not knowing what was next for him.

The 26-year-old Blue Jays infielder said he’d never missed a game — in any sport — before last season, when he seemed to be battling them all.

Finger and hand injuries early in the year, which he tried to play through. A cervical spine ligament sprain in late May that landed him on the injured list. Back on the list in August with mid-back tightness. An elbow sprain soon after.

At the plate, Biggio, known for his ability to get on base as he rose through the Jays system, posted a career-low slash line of .224/.322/.356. On defence, he spent more time at third base or in right field than his regular spot at second — a challenge that general manager Ross Atkins has since said was a big ask.

But the injuries were the big problem. Biggio was grinding, and had to learn that the only way out was through.

“There’s really no good way to go about it, or good advice to really go about it,” Biggio said Friday. “It’s just something you’ve got to learn for yourself.”

His biggest takeaways from last season: better ways to stay fit for a full season and how to deal with injuries if and when they happen, physically and mentally. He says he learned a lot about himself on and off the field and is committed to bouncing back. Becoming a harder out. Taking care of routine plays to put his team in the best position to win.

The coaching staff expects nothing less.

“I think this year you can expect the Cavan that we saw for the two years before (2021),” said bench coach John Schneider. “You could argue that he was probably our most productive player in 2020, in the shortened season.”

Biggio played 59 of 60 games that year — just 20 fewer than he managed out of 162 games last season. His .250/.375/.432 slash line was the best of his career, and there was hope that he would take the next step with the return of a full schedule.

“I was there for all of it — even after games we talked a lot,” said hitting coach Guillermo Martinez. “We developed a real good relationship because of it. I always think — and I tell him, too — ‘Last year, I know it wasn’t the season that you wanted, but I think it’s also a blessing’ because he was able to learn from his mistakes.”

Both Martinez and manager Charlie Montoyo like what they’ve seen from Biggio at the plate this spring. He is 9-for-19 with a home run and five walks to six strikeouts.

“If we can get him to where he was, that’s going to be great for us,” said Montoyo, a fan of Biggio’s versatility and ability to get on base.

How Montoyo uses Biggio, however, remains to be seen.

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Matt Chapman was acquired from the Oakland A’s to handle third base, which leaves Biggio and Santiago Espinal — who the manager called the biggest surprise of last season — battling for playing time at second.

Montoyo said Saturday that he doesn’t want to commit to a platoon, and would rather find the best spots for Biggio and Espinal to succeed. But there are only so many positions to go around.

The son of Hall of Famer Craig Biggio reached the big leagues around the same time as two of the most hyped prospects in Jays history — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, whose dads were also baseball greats — so he knows about expectations. But after last year’s struggles, no one’s expectations are higher than his own.

“I think he’s right now in a place where he’s pretty confident and understands what we’re asking of him,” Schneider said.

Laura Armstrong is a Star sports reporter based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @lauraarmy