Matt Bowman Triggers Opt-Out In Blue Jays Deal

Right-hander Matt Bowman has triggered an opt-out in his minor league deal with the Blue Jays, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post. The Jays have until Saturday to decide whether to add Bowman to their roster or release him.

Bowman, 35, signed with the Jays in late May after opting out of his previous deal with the Twins. He has been with Triple-A Buffalo for the past few weeks and has allowed 10 earned runs in 8 2/3 innings. A 10.38 ERA is obviously not good but there’s a lot of bad luck in that tiny sample. His .360 batting average on balls in play and 25.9% strand rate are both to the unfortunate side, particularly the latter number. Meanwhile, his 23.7% strikeout rate, 7.9% walk rate and 53.8% ground ball rate are all solid figures.

It’s possible the Jays could look past the ERA and focus more on the respectable underlying numbers. Even if they do, it might be tough to squeeze him onto the big league roster. The Jays are currently running a four-man rotation and a nine-man bullpen, in a sense. Spencer Miles and Patrick Corbin appear to be piggybacking the fifth rotation spot. Neither can be sent down since Miles is a Rule 5 guy and Corbin is a veteran with years of experience and can’t be optioned without his consent.

That leaves seven other spots for more traditional relievers. Louis Varland, Tyler Rogers, Jeff Hoffman, Mason Fluharty and Braydon Fisher are in leverage roles. Tommy Nance is out of options and putting up decent numbers. Adam Macko can be optioned but he gives the club a second lefty alongside Fluharty. Letting go of Bowman would cost the Jays some bullpen depth but they have Chase Lee and Brendon Little on optional assignment.

If Bowman ends up released, he could look for a club with a more wide open bullpen. In his career, he has thrown 240 2/3 big league innings with a 4.38 ERA, 18.7% strikeout rate, 8% walk rate and 52.3% ground ball rate. He started this year with the Twins on a minor league deal and tossed 21 1/3 Triple-A innings with a 1.69 ERA, 28.1% strikeout rate, 6.7% walk rate and 54.5% ground ball rate. As mentioned, he opted out of that pact and then landed with the Jays. He is sitting in the low-90s with his four-seamer and sinker while also throwing a cutter, splitter and slider.