The Toronto Blue Jays will turn to a familiar starter on Saturday: Bullpen day.
Bullpen arm Spencer Miles will start for the Blue Jays in Game 2 of their series against the Baltimore Orioles, the team announced Friday night.
The rookie Rule-5 pick will make his seventh start of the season, and it will be the Blue Jays' 21st bullpen game of the season. They've gone 11-9 when deploying the strategy so far.
It stands to reason that Miles won't pitch deep into the game, as he hasn't exceeded two innings or 40 pitches since July 22.
Miles, 26, has pitched to a 2.77 ERA with 81 strikeouts and 21 walks over 87.2 innings while shifting between a multi-inning role and traditional relief.
He had pitched only 14.2 minor-league innings before making his MLB debut this year, and is now third on the Blue Jays in innings pitched.
Spencer Arrighetti is expected to serve as a bulk arm behind Miles. The 26-year-old righty has a 5.12 ERA with 100 strikeouts and 58 walks over 103.2 innings this season.
Arrighetti has struggled since joining the Blue Jays at the trade deadline, missing time with Morton's neuroma and pitching to an 8.04 ERA over four appearances since getting healthy.
Toronto are two games behind the Cleveland Guardians for the final American League wild-card spot, and the Orioles are one game back of the Blue Jays. Catch Game 2 of the crucial series at 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
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