The Blue Jays have placed pitcher Nick Kingham on the 10-day injured list with an oblique strain, per team announcement. Righty Yennsy Diaz will be recalled to the active roster and will be present for tonight’s game at Baltimore.
For the 27-year-old Kingham, this news comes at an especially inopportune time. Formerly a top-30 prospect with the Pirates organization, the righty was beginning to put together his first consistently effective stretch in a major league uniform following his acquisition by Toronto on June 13th. News of his injury comes on the heels of a three-inning scoreless outing on August 2nd; all told, he’s logged 21 innings of 3.00 ERA ball in Toronto, after struggling to the tune of a 6.67 ERA during two stints with Pittsburgh. Underlying metrics have still been unenthused with his north-of-the-border output, but Kingham’s endurance of an ever-tricky oblique injury is still surely an unwelcome development for the organization.
Then again, getting a look at the 22-year-old Diaz should provide something of a consolation. At 6’1, the righty doesn’t cast an imposing figure on the mound, but he’s been nonetheless praised for his plus fastball and average-or-better curve. In 112.2 Double-A innings this year, Diaz has logged a 4.15 ERA, with a 7.03 K/9 mark. He’s primarily been a starter in the minors, though his immediate role with the Toronto parent club remains to be seen.
Why are the Pirates even tagged in this?
Because it’s another young pitcher that the Bucs forced a sinker as well as the “pitch to contact” bs pushed on them. Once they leave the organization they figure it out, scrap the sinker and suddenly they can now pitch.
But nothing will change in the land of cheapness. Huntington will keep his job, Hurdle will keep his job, Searage will keep his job and we will all hear about bridge years and our great farm system horsesh!t again this offseason. Isn’t it great to be a Pirates fan!
I think I trust Ray Searage over you. Cant be perfect nor be able to fix every pitcher.
In 2026, it could be a great time to be a Vegas Pirates fan.
When the time comes, I’ll help them move. Good riddance
Not much to move, Vegas would probably put a AAA team in Pittsburgh.
I’m sure that it has nothing to do with the fact that he was once a Top Pirate prospect.
Diaz
Any Blue Jays fans going to question this move and say Diaz “isn’t ready for the big leagues” because he’s going from AA to the pros? Or that he’s only 22?
I like this callup. Diaz can see what it’s like in the show. Now he has something to shoot for after he’s demoted. Hope he goes back to the minors with more wisdom and a desire to return to the big leagues.
Jays should give Diaz the 5th rotation spot and see what he can do.
Not a lot of benefit in doing a bullpen game every 5 starts. Might as well see what you have with a young starter in a re-building year.
I like your thinking. The only objection I have is Diaz hasn’t dominated in AA as a starter. If he was I’d be all in on your suggestion. It is clear by the numbers Diaz needs more work in the minors. Although they could have him up now until the end of the season then start him in AAA to begin next year.
Get him some work out of the bullpen and see how he fares