The Blue Jays announced a flurry of roster moves with rosters expanding for the month of September. Both Darin Mastroianni and Matt Hague have been designated for assignment, while right-hander Neil Wagner, who was designated yesterday, has been released. Additionally, Brett Lawrie has been transferred to the 60-day DL.
The 40-man moves create space for the selection of top prospect Dalton Pompey’s contract, the selection of veteran George Kottaras’ contract and the reinstatement of Brandon Morrow from the 60-day disabled list. Additionally, Toronto has activated Dan Johnson from the DL and recalled Ryan Goins, Anthony Gose, Kendall Graveman, Sean Nolin and Daniel Norris from Triple-A.
Mastroianni, 29, hit .156/.156/.250 in 32 plate appearances with the Blue Jays after they claimed him on waivers from the Twins earlier this season. The Jays had lost Mastroianni to the Twins on waivers two years prior, and the speedster looked to have carved out a spot for himself in Minnesota as a fourth outfielder following a solid .252/.328/.350 batting line in 77 games. However, a series of ankle injuries kept Mastroianni off the field, and he’s yet to again show the respectable bat and plus speed that made him an asset in that 2012 season.
Hague, also 29, has posted strong Triple-A numbers this season between the Pirates and Blue Jays organizations. He’s totaled a .282/.371/.465 batting line with 15 homers in his fourth season at that level. Hague has never received an extended look in the Majors, though the first baseman does have 76 PA in the bigs. He’s hit just .222/.263/.250 in that limited chance, however.
Wagner underwent Tommy John surgery in August, which will likely sideline him for the majority of the 2015 season. He was a reasonably effective bullpen piece for the Jays in 2013, posting a 3.79 ERA with 7.8 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 in 38 innings. Those numbers aren’t too dissimilar from his career marks at Triple-A, where he’s posted a 3.91 ERA with a superior 10.1 K/9 and a 3.3 BB/9 rate.
Re-claim Hague Mr. Huntington! Please…I can’t bare to watch Brent Morel anymore.
Wow, what a ride for Graveman. He started the year in A ball, just his 2nd year of pro ball and now he’s in the majors.
He’s thrown 167 innings already. I don’t get why they haven’t shut him down before now. They’re so concerned about other starters only gradually increasing their innings, yet they let this guy throw away without reservation. Is it because he’s not a major prospect, so they don’t really care? Otherwise I wonder what the rationale is.
Part of it is he’s not a max effort guy, so likely can handle more innings. in 2013 he’d already racked up 89.2 at Mississippi State followed up by 39.2 innings in Lansing. So, combined with age and the existing workload this wasn’t a big jump for him.
Quite surprised Brett Wallace didn’t get called up. He’s been raking the last couple weeks for Buffalo. He was our top ranked prospect at one point, and was thought to be our future 1B. Who knows if he sticks in the organization after this year, I think it
would’ve been nice to give Jays fans the chance to finally see him suit up for the big
league club before then, even if there’s no hype or much hope for him anymore.
it seems they just move you around in the ”minor league” why don`t the Jays just move this guy `matt hague` into the Jays Major league game,.. not the minor`s ..
was`nt he a big star in the minors in 2011 ..the.home run champ
have you read his rookie card stats he would be good at first base or shortstop