Blue Jays Release Michael Schwimer

WEDNESDAY: The Blue Jays have released Schwimer, according to Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star (Twitter link).

TUESDAY: The Blue Jays designated righty Michael Schwimer for assignment to open a 40-man roster spot for southpaw J.A. Happ, tweeted Mike Wilner of the Fan 590 last night.  Happ will take on the Mariners in Seattle Wednesday afternoon, his first start since being struck on the head by a line drive in a May 7th outing against the Rays.

Schwimer, a 27-year-old reliever, hasn't pitched since May either.  Perhaps he's been dealing with an injury, as he'd been on the DL earlier this year for a lat strain.  The Jays acquired him from the Phillies in February for A-ball first baseman Art Charles.  His relationship with the Phillies became strained in August of last year, when Schwimer claimed he should have been placed on the Major League disabled list with a biceps injury instead of being demoted to Triple-A.

Schwimer was drafted by the Phillies in the 14th round in 2008, a round which also produced David Phelps of the Yankees.  Schwimer made his big league debut in 2011, after which Baseball America ranked him 30th among Phillies prospects.  At the time, they noted his "super-sized frame" and deception, profiling the "thinking man's pitcher" as a middle reliever.