The Blue Jays aren't ruling out moving to a six-man rotation, but for now Hatch, Anthony Kay and Ryan Borucki are on the outside looking in, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Nate Pearson joining the rotation Wednesday, that makes five, so it's unclear when Hatch's next start will come. He looked pretty excellent in his first MLB start last week in Tampa Bay, throwing 2.1 scoreless innings while striking out three. For now he will be available for length out of the bullpen or as a spot starter.

Hatch did not allow a hit, but walked two and struck out three across 2.1 scoreless innings Sunday against the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

Hatch walked a pair of batters in the first frame, but managed to force a ground out to escape any damage. He worked effectively from there, not allowing another baserunner prior to being pulled from the game. Hatch had an impressive outing and may stick on the roster as a reliever, though it's expected that his time in the rotation will be short-lived due to the impending promotion of Nate Pearson.

Hatch will start Sunday's series finale at Tampa Bay, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old was somewhat of a surprise inclusion on Toronto's Opening Day roster, and it's even more surprising he'll be receiving the starting nod in the third game of the season. Hatch has never pitched above Double-A and had a 2.80 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 34:2 K:BB over 35.1 innings (six starts) after being acquired from the Cubs last July. Nate Pearson -- one of the organization's top prospects -- began the season in the minors but is expected to round out the rotation next week, so Hatch is likely operating as a spot starter.

Hatch made Toronto's 30-man roster.

EDGE Analysis

This comes as a bit of a surprise, as Hatch has never pitched above Double-A. The 25-year-old righty logged a 2.80 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 34:2 K:BB in 35.1 innings (six starts) at Double-A after getting traded to the Blue Jays from the Cubs in last year's deadline deal that sent David Phelps to Chicago. He had a 51.1 percent groundball rate over that stretch, which was easily a career best, due to an increase in cutter and changeup usage. The Jays could deploy Hatch in multi-inning relief stints if they intend to continue developing him as a long-term starter.

The Blue Jays included Hatch as part of their 60-man roster pool that was announced Sunday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hatch's inclusion in the pool overrides his demotion to Triple-A Buffalo, which occurred back on March 10 before MLB suspended spring training. Though he's now eligible to pitch for the Blue Jays in 2020, Hatch isn't expected to serve as much more than an insurance option in the event the Toronto rotation is hit hard by injuries in the 60-game season. He split the 2019 campaign between the Blue Jays' and Cubs' Double-A affiliates, logging a combined 4.12 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 27 starts.

The Blue Jays optioned Hatch to Triple-A Buffalo on March 10.

EDGE Analysis

After moving to the 40-man roster over the winter, Hatch could get the chance to make his big-league debut in 2020 if the Blue Jays should require a spot starter or long man out of the bullpen at any point during the season. The 25-year-old compiled a 4.12 ERA and 1.24 WHIP across 135.1 innings between two Double-A affiliates in 2019.

Hatch, 22, has a 3.43 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 78:33 K:BB in 76 innings for High-A Myrtle Beach.

EDGE Analysis

There was not much buzz surrounding Hatch this past offseason, as he didn't see any game action in 2016 after the Cubs selected him with their first pick (104th overall) in last year's draft. He has a potentially plus fastball and a potentially plus breaking ball, but the command and changeup lag behind the rest of the profile. Hatch may be the second best pitching prospect in the Cubs' system, behind Dylan Cease.