The Blue Jays announced that they’ve claimed infielder Breyvic Valera off waivers from the Yankees and, to create room on the 40-man roster, designated right-hander Ryan Dull for assignment. Toronto claimed Dull himself off waivers from the Yankees just two days ago. He’d yet to pitch in a game for the Jays.
The Yankees claimed Valera, 27, off waivers from the Giants back in May. He appeared in a dozen games for New York and hit .219/.324/.313 in a small sample of 37 plate appearances. The well-traveled Valera has appeared with four different big league teams in the past three seasons, having also spent time with the Orioles, Dodgers and Cardinals in addition to his minor league time with the Giants organization. He was one of the five players the Dodgers sent to Baltimore in last summer’s Manny Machado blockbuster, though it was clear even at the time that Valera wasn’t considered a vital piece for that trade, in which outfield prospect Yusniel Diaz was the headliner.
Dull, 29, has bounced from the A’s, to the Giants, to the Yankees and the Blue Jays via waivers in the past six weeks alone. The righty hasn’t had success in the Majors or in Triple-A this season, but he’s only a few seasons removed from looking like a quality bullpen piece in Oakland. While Dull has been tagged for 17 earned runs through just 11 1/3 innings in the big leagues this year and also has a 5.29 ERA across three Triple-A affiliates, he was one of Oakland’s best relievers back in 2016. That year, he tossed 74 1/3 innings of 2.42 ERA ball with nearly a strikeout per frame and just 1.8 BB/9. He’s since been hampered by shoulder and knee problems, but Dull has some MLB success and a minor league option remaining, so he could still land elsewhere via yet another waiver claim. If not, he’ll be able to elect free agency at season’s end.
Both are Terrible. Good riddance. We Lost a game in Tampa due to Valera
Atkins is stepping up his game. His spreadsheet must have clicked yes. Sarcasm heavy.
how does this dude keep finding work?
Desperation!
Especially on a team with at least five better middle infield options in the system. It’s just trash in and trash out and there’s like a 2% chance he somehow survives the roster crunch this winter but still unneeded.
Switch hitting middle infielder who produces in triple a…he will always have work in pro ball if he wants it
Steve, you won 2019’s best line from MLBTR chats: “Yankees just announced they DFA’ed Breyvic Valera, who is not a Game of Thrones character but rather….”
Glad to see yet another reference to my new favorite ball player.
Bichette going to miss some time.