Blue Jays’ J.P. Howell to DL, Russell Martin back in lineup vs. A’s

Tampa Bay Rays' Corey Dickerson scores on a wild pitch from Toronto Blue Jays pitcher J.P. Howell who tries to make a tag at the plate in the ninth inning of their AL baseball game in Toronto on Friday April 28, 2017. (Fred Thornhill/CP)

Toronto Blue Jays reliever J.P. Howell has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with left shoulder tightness.

Left-handed pitcher Jeff Beliveau had his contract selected in a corresponding move prior to the Jays’ three-game set in Oakland on Monday.

Howell was placed on the disabled list at the start of the season with left shoulder discomfort and returned to the team on April 25. The 34-year-old struggled after returning, going 1-1 with a 8.31 ERA in 13 appearances.

Beliveau has a 3.09 ERA in 32 innings at triple-A Buffalo this year. He signed a minor-league deal with Toronto in December and has pitched primarily out of the bullpen.

In 58 big-league games with Chicago (2012) and Tampa Bay (2013-15), he has a 4.00 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 45 career innings.

The Blue Jays’ bullpen has been heavily taxed of late, and leads the American League with 207.1 innings pitched this season.

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In other Blue Jays news, catcher Russell Martin returns to the Toronto lineup after sitting out since Wednesday with neck soreness. Second baseman Devon Travis is on the bench a day after being hit on the hand against the New York Yankees.

— With files from Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi.

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