The Blue Jays returned to action on Friday with a ton of news surrounding the team.
A natural disaster happened in the city they are in, there was a roster move, and a whole bunch of updates on injured players.
Let’s dig in!
Earthquake hits New York City
As you may know, the Blue Jays are in New York City for a three-game series against the Yankees. Well at around 10:23 AM on Friday morning, a 4.8 magnitude earthquake occurred in Tewksbury Township, New Jersey, between Allentown and New York City.
Thankfully, it appears no one was injured and it wasn’t even felt by the Blue Jays beat team, according to MLB.com Keegan Matheson.
We didn’t feel anything down in the #BlueJays‘ clubhouse when it happened. The earthquake notification hit our phones 20-30mins later.
We’re a very small travelling beat these days, which sucks, but let the record show that I would have saved @thehazelmae at all costs. https://t.co/wOnzVi42vm
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) April 5, 2024
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There was no delay in starting the game.
Paolo Espino selected, Wes Parsons DFA’ed
About 20 minutes later, it was reported by several reporters that Paolo Espino had been added to the 40-man roster, while Wes Parsons was designated for assignment.
#BlueJays moves:
RHP Paolo Espino has been selected to the MLB roster and will be active for today’s game
RHP Wes Parsons has been designated for assignment
— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) April 5, 2024
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Espino, 37, had a fantastic Spring Training, posting a 2.65 ERA and a 3.56 FIP in 17 innings pitched, along with a 36.4 K% and a 3 BB%. In his one start with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, he pitched six innings giving up no runs and striking out 25% of batters.
Parsons, on the other hand, has had a rough start to his season, posting a 10.80 ERA and an 8.86 FIP in five innings pitched with the Jays this season. He has an even 8.7 BB% and K%.
Espino will give them length in the bullpen and despite sitting in the high-80s with his heater, he seemingly can generate a ton of swing and miss.
Update on injured relievers
On Friday morning, Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi reported on Erik Swanson and Jordan Romano, as well as a few other players we’ll get to soon.
Jordan Romano threw his second bullpen and Erik Swanson a live BP yesterday and both went well, said Blue Jays manager John Schneider.
Next up for Romano is a live BP and if that goes well, right into rehab games.
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) April 5, 2024
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It appears that Swanson appears to be closer as he’s already thrown a live bullpen, while Romano will throw a live bullpen soon and will get into minor league rehab games.
Both relievers are fundamental to the Blue Jays bullpen, as Romano has been the team’s closer since the 2021 season, while Swanson is the setup guy. Last season, Romano had a 2.90 ERA and a 3.46 FIP in 59 innings pitched, while his 36 saves were tied for fifth in the league.
Swanson, who was acquired in the Teoscar Hernández trade in November 2022, had a 2.97 ERA and a 3.51 FIP in 66.2 innings pitched last season.
Danny Jansen + Alek Manoah update
In a follow-up Tweet, Davidi reported on the injured Danny Jansen and Alek Manoah.
Danny Jansen caught both those sessions and also took batting practice on the field. Next step for him is to face velovity machine.
Blue Jays hoping he’ll be ready to catch Alek Manoah when he’s slated to throw 4IP/65 pitches Sunday for Dunedin.
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) April 5, 2024
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Jansen caught both Romano and Swanson and also took batting practice. Soon enough, he’ll face the velocity machine before likely heading to rehab games. Last season, the catcher slashed .228/.312/.474 with 17 homers in 301 plate appearances. He was hit by a pitch and fractured a bone near his wrist.
Manoah has been dealing with a shoulder injury picked up in a side session after his first Grapefruit League start. The 26-year-old right will start Sunday’s game in Dunedin with the Dunedin Blue Jays and is set to pitch four innings or 65 innings.
Joey Votto update
The final update from Davidi is that Votto’s ankle is doing better and he’s doing some defensive work.
Joey Votto is still doing defensive work but his ankle is “getting better,” said Schneider.
Paolo Espino “offers length,” said Schneider. “Obviously had a great camp and knows how to pitch. Getting a fresh arm. Like everything about him.”
Espino has an option remaining.
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) April 5, 2024
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If you can recall, Votto homered in his first plate appearance as a Blue Jay in Spring Training, but later rolled his ankle on a loose bat in the dugout. It appeared like it was going to be a day-to-day thing, but he still hasn’t played since the incident on March 18.
When he returns, it appears that the veteran will head to Buffalo to get some reps in Triple-A. Perhaps by then, the Blue Jays will know what they have in Daniel Vogelbach, who has just six plate appearances in Toronto’s eight games so far this season.
Otto López claimed by Miami
During Spring Training, former Blue Jays top prospect Otto López was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays and picked up by the San Francisco Giants. Well, the Giants designated him for assignment and he was picked up by the Miami Marlins according to Alex Pavlovic.
The Marlins claimed Otto Lopez and the Astros claimed Cooper Hummel … both were recently DFA’d by Giants to open up 40-man spots. Blake Sabol remains the next man up if they need catching help.
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) April 4, 2024
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Last season in Triple-A, Lopez slashed .258/.313/.343 with two homers in 346 plate appearances in an injury-filled season. The 25-year-old’s start with San Francisco’s Triple-A team wasn’t any better, as he slashed .167/.167/.167 in six plate appearances.
Hopefully, he’ll get an opportunity with the Marlins.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Brennan_L_D.
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