Blue Jays' Norris to start Thursday vs. Mariners

Toronto Blue Jays prospect Daniel Norris will get an opportunity to audition for a spot in next season's rotation when he makes his first major-league start Thursday against the Seattle Mariners at Rogers Centre, reports Sportsnet's Shi Davidi.

Selected in the second round of the 2011 draft, Norris made a meteoric ascent through the minor leagues this season, making his way through three different levels before receiving a promotion to the major leagues earlier this month. The 21-year-old left-hander crafted a 2.53 ERA across 25 starts and one relief appearance in the minors this year, notching a 32.4 percent strikeout rate while allowing just seven home runs in 124 2/3 innings.

Norris has made four relief appearances since joining the Blue Jays, allowing two earned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out three over 3 1/3 innings. His inaugural major-league appearance was decidedly memorable, as he caught David Ortiz looking on a 3-2 curveball to preserve his team's one-run lead in the seventh inning.

[Courtesy: MLB.com]