The Blue Jays announced they have placed southpaw Tim Mayza on the injured list with left elbow inflammation while optioning Ryan Borucki to Triple-A. Patrick Murphy and Kirby Snead have been recalled to take their roster spots, per Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi.
The Athletic’s Kaitlyn McGrath notes the somewhat amazing fact that every member of the Jays’ Opening Day pitching staff has been optioned, released or placed on the injured list at some point this season. Despite zero pitchers who have been effective and healthy for the entire season, the Jays are now just 6.5 games out of first and 2.5 games out of a wild-card spot.
Mayza has been that source of reliability out of the pen for the Jays, however, with a 3.75 ERA/3.08 FIP in 36 innings spanning 44 games. He’s particularly effective against same-handed hitters, who are slashing just .207/.246/.207 against him.
Snead, 26, will try to take on some of Mayza’s responsibilities in his absence. Snead has just two big league appearances, but he’s pitched to a 1.89 ERA in 33 1/3 innings in Triple-A this season.
Borucki might have taken on some of that workload, but he’s struggled to a 5.12 ERA/5.18 FIP across 20 outings. He gave up two runs on two hits and a walk in Friday’s game against the Red Sox.
Murphy, 26, has been a name floating around recently as a guy who could be a difference-maker out of the Jays’ pen. The right-hander owns a microscopic 1.00 ERA in Triple-A across 13 innings of work. He has seven appearances with the big league club, the last one coming on July 28 when he tossed one scoreless inning of relief.
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