The roster turnover is continuing for the Blue Jays, who announced another round of moves today. Only two directly implicate control rights, though: righty Luis Santos was designated for assignment, with fellow reliever Jake Petricka taking his place on the 40-man and active rosters.
Additionally, the Toronto organization turned over two other active roster spots. Outfielder Dalton Pompey and infielder Richard Urena are heading up, with righties Joe Biagini and Carlos Ramirez optioned back to Triple-A along with outfielder Dwight Smith Jr.
The 27-year-old Santos had given the Jays some useful innings late last year and re-joined the organization as a depth piece for the 2018 season. In his lone MLB outing this year, he was bombed last night for six earned runs on five hits and three walks. It would not be surprising if he ends up back at Buffalo.
As for Petricka, he’ll be getting a look as a bounceback candidate after signing a minors deal with the Jays over the winter. His contract includes a $1.3MM base salary and up to $500K in incentive pay. Petricka was once a useful member of the White Sox’ bullpen but has dealt with injuries and diminished effectiveness of late when healthy. The initial returns in 2018 have been promising, as Petricka has (as usual) generated a huge number of groundballs while allowing only a single earned run in eight innings over five outings.
Lots of juggling during this Blue Jays road trip due to not a lot of rest and time off.
Luis Santos is a vastly different pitcher than he was last year. No control this year for whatever reason. He doesn’t belong in the majors with what he showed recently.
Great on Dalton Pompey to give it another try. He has been through a lot of injuries. Unfortunately he seems the same to me, no MLB level bat. He is an elite pinch runner, average rout runner in the outfielder but AAA bat.
I haven’t seen Richard Urena for a while and don’t have a scouting report for him yet. #Scoutseyes
Watched both of them in Buffalo…
Pompey is a 4th OF at best; very good speed, decent defender. I don’t mind him up with the club one bit. He has the athletic ability to be better than he is. Could be a head issue.
Urena can’t hit. What is interesting is he continues to be treated like a top prospect despite being overmatched in AA and AAA. This has to be a ploy to boost his value in case, by some miracle, Jays are buyers at the deadline.
Probably what they’re hoping for with Urena. If the Jays can move him this year for anything, they should. He’s still young, but lots of SS depth in the minors ready to move past him,