The Toronto Blue Jays bullpen is starting to look like the Blue Jays’ pen of old.
On Tuesday afternoon, it was announced that Jordan Romano and Erik Swanson were activated from the 15-day Injured List and were added to the 26-man roster. To make room for the closer and the setup guy, the Blue Jays have designated Mitch White for assignment, and have optioned Nate Pearson to Triple-A Buffalo.
Starting with Romano, the Canadian closer posted a 2.90 ERA and a 3.46 FIP in 59 innings pitched last season, along with a 29 K% and a 9.7 BB%. In total, he saved 36 games, tied for the fifth-most in the league, while blowing just four games.
Yimi García has filled in terrifically as the Jays high-leverage reliever in Romano’s absence, posting a 1.17 ERA and a 2.44 FIP in 7.2 innings pitched, with a 42.3 K% and a 3.8 BB%. Expect him to set up games and continue to pitch in high-leverage.
As for Swanson, the 30-year-old had a 2.97 ERA and a 3.51 FIP in 66.2 innings pitched last season (in 69 appearances!). He had a 28.6 K% and an 8 BB%, and had 29 holds and four saves when Romano wasn’t available. Moreover, he blew just two games all season.
This is the final season where Pearson has option years, and he’s had a pretty good start to his 2024 season. He’s pitched 6.1 innings, and hasn’t given up a run for a 1.80 FIP. Moreover, he’s striking out 34.6% of batters, but the 11.5 BB% is on the high-side. Still, I’d imagine that Pearson will be the first one re-called if there is an injury.
Mitch White was acquired at the 2022 trade deadline for a now-top-100 prospect in Nick Frasso, along with Moises Brito. Along with acquiring White, the Blue Jays acquired prospect Alex De Jesus. This isn’t White’s first go-around on waivers, as he was waived (and passed through) before the 2023 trade deadline.
After pitching well for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons to end the year, which also saw a spike in velocity, the Blue Jays added White back to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. In 10 innings pitched this season, mainly in garbage time, White has a 5.40 ERA and a 4.52 FIP, along with a 14.3 K% and a 9.5 BB%.
After averaging around 96-97 mph towards the end of last season, White’s velocity is down to 94.3 mph, a worrisome sign for a guy that really needs a plus pitch. Even still, there’s a good chance that he’ll either be traded or claimed on waivers, thus ending a pretty brutal tenure with Toronto.
The Blue Jays now have 39 players on the 40-man roster, meaning one more spot is available. If I had to guess, the Blue Jays may eventually add another minor league reliever, probably left-handed pitcher Mason Fluharty, or right-handed pitcher Connor Cooke. However, that is just a guess.
me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.
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