The Blue Jays are set to select the contract of right-hander Lazaro Estrada today, according to a report from Yordano Carmona of Pelota Cubana USA. Toronto’s 40-man roster is full, so a corresponding move will be necessary to make room for Estrada on both the active and 40-man rosters. Should Estrada make an appearance while on the roster, it would be his big league debut.
Estrada, 26, was born in La Habana, Cuba and made his pro debut with the Blue Jays back in 2018. After losing a season of development to 2020’s cancelled minor league season, Estrada managed just 39 1/3 innings of work total between 2021 and ’22 due to injuries. That slowed his ascent up the minor league ladder considerably, and he only cracked the Double-A level just last year. Despite that slow-going path to the majors, however, Estrada posted a 3.29 ERA across three levels of the minors last year and has followed that up by more or less holding his own at the Triple-A level this year. He has a 4.75 ERA through 15 starts, but his 24.8% strikeout rate is quite strong for a starter while his 7.8% walk rate is roughly average.
It’s not entirely clear what role Estrada will play now that he’s headed to the majors. The Blue Jays have a full rotation for the first time in a while, with Max Scherzer back from the injured list and southpaw Eric Lauer having more than earned a spot in the starting five after posting a 2.60 ERA on the season, including a 3.32 ERA in four starts since moving to the rotation last month. That duo is joined by Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, and Jose Berrios. While each of those three is having somewhat middling seasons overall, none of them should be expected to move out of the rotation barring a trip to the injured list.
That makes the most likely outcome for Estrada a move to the bullpen. The right-hander could serve as a solid complement to Lauer, who for all his effectiveness has capped out around 85 pitches this year. That could make having a multi-inning righty able to piggyback off of Lauer an attractive option, and Estrada would also be able to more generally provide length to a bullpen that has been leaned on heavily in recent days.
Brother of Eric???
If he was related to Erik, he would most likely be a grandson as Erik is now 76 years old
WOW!!! Man,time flies. Ponch is really 76 yrs old? I still remember watching CHIPS when I was a kid.
Where’s the love for Marco?
Marco!
Thairo!
Someone is going on the 60 day I predict. I have not looked at the 40 man to know who is on the bubble. Maybe a DFA.
Jays starting to look legit.
There are a few guys I would drop from the 40 man. Fringe big leaguers like Loperfido with minimal trade value.
Loperfido has done alright for his minor league career. Jays have a crowded outfield. He will will be a good trade candidate in a month or so, there are better guys to drop.
Likely Bruihl gets booted?
They shall be referred to as The AL East Leading Blue Jays until further notice.
Jimmer is hating life more than normal. He cant break out his “told you so” in complaining about Atkins.
#scoutseyes