TORONTO – Confident their starting rotation is ready to handle the load, the Toronto Blue Jays reverted back to a seven-man bullpen Thursday by designating Todd Redmond for assignment and recalling Ryan Goins from triple-A Buffalo to take his place.
The shift leaves Marco Estrada as the sole long man among the relievers, although Liam Hendriks, who’s pitched his way into more important situations, can do it as well if needed. Adding Goins gives manager John Gibbons more opportunity to rest his regulars as the defensive whiz will fill a super-utility role.
“We’ve been saying all along we wanted to get down to seven,” said Gibbons. “It was close that we keep Goins out of spring training, anyways and we think we can pull that off now, we feel pretty good about that. Goins is going to help us. Eight’s really too many – I say that and in a few days we need eight, I don’t know.”
Redmond’s posted a 4.14 ERA in 61 games, 15 starts, over the past three seasons for the Blue Jays, but was hit hard in his only two appearances in 2015, surrendering eight runs in 4.1 innings.
The Blue Jays now have 10 days to trade or reassign him, which they can only do if he clears waivers. If he does, he’s likely to be stretched out as a starter at triple-A Buffalo.
“It’s unfair to judge his year on two outings,” said Gibbons. “He wasn’t particularly sharp in either one of them, but everything wasn’t based necessarily off that. Red’s down a great job for us. I don’t know if someone is going to pick him up or not, I hope he passes through, for his career’s sake he hopes he gets grabbed. There’s a place for him. …
“And he’s a good dude. He’s one of those guys you pull for.”
Estrada, who has made only one appearance this season, may now see more action.
“It can be a logjam down there,” said Gibbons. “Estrada is a guy, too, who can spot start, he’s done that before. You’d love to get them all in there but you can’t.
Hendriks, on the bubble when spring training opened, now gets more responsibility.
“Liam’s been good,” said Gibbons. “He’s moved beyond a little bit the long role. That doesn’t mean he couldn’t fill that for you, but he’s stepped up a little bit.”
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DAY OFF FOR REYES: Jose Reyes will get a day of rest Saturday when lefty Alex Wood starts for the Atlanta Braves.
Steve Tolleson, who hits lefties well, will start in place of Reyes, although Goins may spell him later in the game. A game-changer defensively, he’s likely to see action in a variety of spots.
