The Toronto Blue Jays officially placed third baseman Brett Lawrie on the disabled list with a left ankle sprain Wednesday, one of many moves the team made to reinforce its weakened pitching staff.
The Blue Jays added three pitchers to the roster, recalling right-hander Todd Redmond and selecting the contracts of right-hander Neil Wagner and left-hander Juan Perez from triple-A Buffalo.
The team officially announced that they optioned Thad Weber to Buffalo and designated Ramon Ortiz for assignment. First baseman Clint Robinson was also designated for assignment to create the additional 40-man roster space required for newcomers Wagner and Perez.
Lawrie was placed on the disabled list retroactive to May 28. This marks the second disabled list stint of the season for the third baseman, who missed the beginning of the year with a rib cage injury.
Redmond, who appeared in one game with the Cincinnati Reds last year, has made two appearances with Buffalo in 2013. The 28-year-old has allowed six earned runs in 5.2 innings while striking out seven since being claimed on waivers from the Baltimore Orioles in March. He began the season on the minor league disabled list with right shoulder impingement.
Perez, 34, has a 0.86 ERA with 25 strikeouts and 11 walks in 21 innings at triple-A this year. He has MLB experience in parts of four seasons, most recently as a member of the 2012 Milwaukee Brewers.
Wagner has excelled as the Buffalo closer this year, posting a 0.89 ERA with 32 strikeouts and eight walks in 20.1 innings. The 29-year-old has not appeared at the MLB level since 2011, when he pitched in relief for the Oakland Athletics.
Robinson, 28, began the season with double-A New Hampshire. He has four home runs in 210 plate appearances with a .270/.381/.404 batting line.
Mark DeRosa and Maicer Izturis appear to be the leading candidates to play third base while Lawrie recovers.
