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Blue Jays acquire Ryan Burr in trade with Phillies, assigned to triple-A Bisons

Originally posted on Bluejaysnation | By Thomas Hall | Last updated May 31, 2024 11:00 AM ET

As the Toronto Blue Jays released their new City Connect jerseys Thursday night, the front office was hard at work, adding another depth arm to the organization’s depleted pitching depth.

The franchise acquired veteran right-hander Ryan Burr in a minor-league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, first reported by Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi. Per the organization’s transaction page, he has already been assigned to triple-A Buffalo.

The 30-year-old reliever had pitched to a 2.16 ERA with 29 strikeouts and five walks, recording one save across 16.2 innings in 15 appearances with the Phillies’ triple-A affiliate. He hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2022, when he made eight relief appearances with the Chicago White Sox.

A look at Ryan Burr, who last pitched in the majors with the CHW in 2022. #BlueJays pic.twitter.com/wq6kWP1OJt https://t.co/lz9fuQSRbl

— Thomas Hall (@Hall_Thomas_) May 31, 2024

Burr joins a Bisons pitching staff that’s added multiple veteran arms to the mix out of necessity in recent weeks, including starters Aaron Sanchez, Beau Sulser and reliever Joel Kuhnel.

Though his arsenal features four pitches, the 6-foot-4 hurler has primarily operated as a two-pitch pitcher this season, relying heavily on his four-seamer — which averages 94.5 m.p.h. — and cutter, a high swing-and-miss offering responsible for 20 of his 29 strikeouts with a 55.2 per cent whiff rate.

Burr will also occasionally mix in his slider and changeup, both of which sit in the mid-80s.

The 2015 fifth-round selection, who has two minor-league options remaining, could eventually pitch his way up to the Blue Jays if their injury concerns persist moving forward. But he’d first need to be added to Toronto’s 40-man roster.

This article first appeared on Bluejaysnation and was syndicated with permission.

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