Blue Jays place RHP Julian Merryweather on injured list

The Blue Jays placed right-hander Julian Merryweather on the 10-day injured list before their game Wednesday, the team announced. The Jays selected righty Anthony Castro’s contract in a corresponding move.

Merryweather is dealing with a left oblique strain – the type of injury that can lead to an extended absence. That would be a tough blow to Toronto’s bullpen, which has received excellent work from Merryweather early this season. Boasting a 98 mile per hour fastball, Merryweather has thrown 4 1/3 shutout, one-hit innings, struck out an eye-popping 50 percent of hitters and walked just 7.1 percent of batters. The 29-year-old also leads the Blue Jays with two saves. The closer role could now to either Jordan Romano, Rafael Dolis or both during Merryweather’s IL stint.

Castro, 26, was an offseason waiver claim from the Tigers, whom he had been with since he first became a professional in 2012. While Castro only made one major league appearance (last year) as a Tiger, he helped the Blue Jays defeat the Yankees on Wednesday with two scoreless frames in relief.