Blue Jays recall Nick Robertson, option Easton Lucas

Nick Robertson is part of a long list of relievers the Jays claimed off waivers this season, and will be the 28th reliever the team uses this season (assuming he pitches this weekend). In the big leagues, Robertson has a 4.38 ERA and a 4.54 FIP in 12.1 innings pitched, all with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Originally selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh-round of the 2019 draft, Robertson was involved in the Enrique Hernández deal with the Boston Red Sox at the 2023 trade deadline. A few months later, the Red Sox sent him to the Cardinals for Tyler O’Neill, before they eventually designated the righty for assignment.

After being picked up by the Los Angeles Angels and pitching with their Triple-A team, Robertson was once again designated for assignment, with the Jays claiming him off waivers in mid-September.

Like Robertson, Lucas was also claimed off waivers by the Blue Jays and was also a 2019 draft pick. The 28-year-old left-handed pitcher bounced around a few organizations after the Miami Marlins selected him, playing in the Baltimore Orioles, Oakland Athletics’ and Detroit Tigers organization.

In 4.2 innings with the Jays, Lucas had an 11.57 ERA and a 7.67 FIP, giving him a season ERA of 10.80 and a season FIP of 5.14 in 11.2 innings pitched between Oakland, Detroit, and Toronto.

Interestingly, the Blue Jays had Lucas starting when he was with the Bisons, where he posted a 1.37 ERA and a 2.50 FIP in 19.2 innings pitched. While his brief tenure with the Jays may have been bad, perhaps the team saw something in his game that makes them think he can give them length.