Chien-Ming Wang lost his spot on the Toronto Blue Jays’ roster Tuesday, but his career with the organization may continue.
Wang would accept an assignment to triple-A Buffalo instead of electing free agency, agent Alan Chang of Octagon told Sportsnet.
“Chien-Ming appreciates the opportunity with the Blue Jays and is looking forward to finding his groove and returning to the major-league level,” Chang said.
The Blue Jays designated Wang for assignment after he completed just 1.2 innings for the second consecutive start. Other teams now have the chance to claim the right-hander off of waivers or complete a trade for him.
As a player with more than five years of MLB service time, Wang must approve minor league assignments. Pitching at triple-A would allow the 33-year-old to continue getting regular work against high-level competition.
Blue Jays manager John Gibbons indicated after Tuesday’s game that he hoped to keep Wang in the organization in case a need emerges at the MLB level later in the season.
“I’d love to have him around,” Gibbons said. “He’s a real pro.”
Wang fared well in his first three starts with the Blue Jays, pitching into the seventh inning in each outing. Yet he did not emerge from the second inning in his two most recent starts against the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers.
Wang has battled foot, hip and shoulder injuries in recent seasons, but is now healthy.
