The Blue Jays have designated right-hander Luis Santos for assignment, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca tweets. That opens a 40-man spot for fellow righty Murphy Smith, whose contract was selected.
Those aren’t the only righty relievers changing places. Toronto also announced that Danny Barnes is heading up from Triple-A. Justin Shafer and Jake Petricka are being optioned down to create active roster space.
This isn’t the first time the Jays have designated Santos, who was knocked around in twenty MLB innings but had turned in 41 innings of 2.85 ERA ball at Triple-A. He’ll have the right to elect free agency if he clears waivers.
As for Smith, he’ll see the majors for the first time in his tenth professional season. The 31-year-old has worked to a 3.59 ERA in 62 2/3 innings at Triple-A, though he also carries an uninspiring 42:25 K/BB ratio.
Barnes, meanwhile, has spent most of the past two seasons working out of the major-league bullpen. He recorded an 11:1 K/BB ratio in 8 2/3 frames with Buffalo. He’ll come up in preference to Shafer and Petricka. The former threw five scoreless innings in his MLB debut this year, but managed only a pair of strikeouts.
Petricka, of course, is the player with the most experience on this transactions roll. He has worked 36 innings in the big leagues this year, compiling a 4.25 ERA with 7.3 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9. Petricka carries a strong 51.8% groundball rate, though that’s nothing like the 60%+ rates he managed earlier in his career.
Arranging deck chairs on the titanic.
Yeah, I guess making roster moves should be reserved for playoff teams only..
#privateeyesarewatchingyouIseeyoureverymove
Umm…huh?
This is the time to throw everything at the wall to see what sticks. Might as well try every Pitcher in AAA
Agreed, although I don’t think there is much there on the Buffalo Bisons..
I wanna see more deals, a total blowup of this MLB level. Sell everyone not nailed down, like Travis, Grichuk, Sanchez, Stroman, Estrada, Giles, Maile, Smoak, Granderson, Drury, Solarte, Clippard Barnes etc. for as much that can be got – especially pitching.
Everyone but Drury.
Hes young enough to fit into the core
As is Sanchez but I take your word his fingers damaged and we should get some younger pitching prospects
Stroman needs to go as well.
Giles is interesting. Wonder what we could get for him in the winter. He doesn’t seem to fit the new core either
Those 3 pitchers will need to perform better to return some desired prospects.
It’s possible Drury is moved middle of next year to make room for Bichette and Biggio. Possible, not probable. Jays need to get busy this offseason.
Agreed, especially top of the rotation starters because Sanchez and Stroman aren’ t going to pan out long term as elite.
Gaviglio is a #4, if Borucki puts on 20lbs he can be a #2, Pannone is a reliever, stroman is a #3 now, Estrada is toast, Reid foley is probably a #5.
Gaviglio’s a #6. I think he’s better suited for longman duties. Can get you 3 innings tops. No disrespect to Sam.
I would have kept Shafer up with the big club.
Murphy Smith?
Dude has two last names.