The Toronto Blue Jays have finally found a solution to their season-long woes against left-handed pitching. Well, sort of.
The team selected the contract of right-handed outfielder Jordan Luplow – a lefty specialist, claimed off waivers from the Atlanta Braves in April – from triple-A Buffalo prior to Wednesday’s contest versus the San Diego Padres. To make room, fellow outfielder Nathan Lukes was optioned to Buffalo.
Adam Cimber, sidelined since June 18 and has yet to resume throwing due to a right shoulder impingement, was transferred to the 60-day IL to clear space on Toronto’s 40-man roster for Luplow.
Luplow has excelled against lefties during his Bisons tenure, hitting .283/.387/.617 with five home runs and 18 RBIs across 60 at-bats. He has also earned 11 walks compared to 12 strikeouts.
The 29-year-old has been just as effective in those right-on-left matchups at the major-league level, evidenced by his career .498 SLG, .275 ISO and 122 wRC+ over 511 plate appearances.
Those skills were barely put to the test earlier this season, though, as the Blue Jays returned Luplow to triple-A following a brief stint in April that consisted of just seven plate appearances in four games – two of which were spent as a pinch runner.
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