Glenn Sparkman is starting for Dunedin tonight. The Jays can keep him in the minors for 30 days but by the end of June they will have to make a decision. There is not much room in the bullpen at the moment but someone could get injured by the end of the month.

The Jays could actually really use someone in Biagini's 2016 role. A medium to low leverage reliever who can regularly go a couple of innings would really help the bullpen. I have no clue if he's suited to this but that would be significantly more valuable than Howell's current role of appearing every 8 days.

Agreed, the Jays need a mop up guy who actually eats up innings. Grilli seems to have gained Gibby's trust again, but they can't have Howell only pitching in blowouts because he's only going to give you an inning at best. They have to make a decision between one of them at some point. Either Howell becomes high leverage again (start using him more) or they might have to cut bait.

The Yankees are what I want Shapiro/Atkins to do with this team. They did not rebuild. They restocked their farm system, made solid trades, and short-term stop gap signings to remain competitive while having a tremendous future. I don't know how the Jays can pull off something similar (won't be easy), but that should be the goal.

Barnes, Tepera and Leone are all averaging more than an IP per game, and each has one or more outings of over 2 IPs, which is longer than any outing Biagini had last year.  I've made this comment several times now, but this is my favourite addition to Gibby's bullpen management bag. 

Campos did a pretty solid job in long relief tonight - the Buffalo shuttle, properly used, can fill the long man role. 

The backup catchers are now a collective 8 for 92. The average MLB pitcher would be 12 for 92 (given their .127 average). Yes, the team loves Maile's defense and that seems enough to guarantee a job. But do you wonder if Dioner Navarro is at home telling his wife "they're going to phone, they're going to phone"?

I did not know that D Navarro was still available. He may accept a minor league deal. Better than nothing.
Injuries have been a problem for the Jays. I hope 6 weeks from now we are still in it.

Maile has 63 PAs- 2 homers, 3 walks and 11 strikeouts.  His ghastly slash line is courtesy of a .065 BABIP.  The lowest BABIP of any major leaguer last year with 200 PAs was .189 (Yan Gomes).  Patience.

"....do you wonder if Dioner Navarro is at home telling his wife "they're going to phone, they're going to phone"?...."

I'm sure you didn't realize this, but Navarro has actually been helping his wife recover from a brain aneurysm and a massive stroke that left her in a coma for three months.  She almost died.  She only came out of the coma a few weeks ago.

https://jaysjournal.com/2017/05/22/blue-jays-dioner-navarro-takes-time-off-after-almost-losing-his-wife/

I'm sure you didn't realize this

No, I had no idea. I surely wouldn't have cracked my stupid joke had I known.

Clicking on CF's Navarro link (and the ensuing Internet rabbit-hole) disclosed that Ricky Romero has just joined the Tijuana Toros of the Mexican League. Faced six batters in his debut, and didn't walk any. Baby steps!

Luke maile's walk up music is Kashmir. That is worth 100 points of batting average.

Only gets him to like .165 but, still...

Liriano activated, Campos optioned back to Syracuse. Estrada and Campos combined for 6.2 IP last night, so everyone but Howell should be available. Howell actually looked more like himself last night until Gibbons sent him back out for just one more inning. It didn't work, but you can understand why he'd try to get away with it. That was only the third time Howell's thrown 33 pitches in a game in the last four years, and now we might know why.

Howell's a solid MLB pitcher. He'll be alright.

I didn't think the Jays would call up a Buffalo reliever for just one game, but I was wrong about that.  Good use of the Buffalo shuttle, and it helped preserve the bullpen for tonight's game.

Gibbons has done a good job of managing the recovery by Grilli and Howell.  He has eased them back, in the right situations, gradually increasing their leverage role and innings.  Now it's effectively a 7-man bullpen again, instead of the 5-man pen that he was saddled with for most of the past few weeks.  It's also a bullpen where everyone knows his own role and likely situation, which is something the relievers prefer to know, so that they can mentally prepare for their appearances.  And there's good depth in Buffalo if they need it.

Everything you say is correct CF. Of course Tepera, Loup, Barnes and Campos made Gibby a wizard at bull pen management.

Grilli looks pretty good now. Last 10 appearances, 8 1/3 IP, 8 hits, 2 BB's, 10 K's, 2 ER, WHIP 1.20, ERA 2.16.

...optioned back to Syracuse.

Those were the days. :)

Here's Jeff Zimmerman's scouting take on Biagini. I agree.  Subjectively, he's a good fielder too (athough I realize DRS doesn't agree this year) and he has good control.  I think that he's going to be around 3.50 when the season ends.  Saturday's game is a good test for him.

Is that Mr. Jeff Zimmerman the Canadian pitcher who had been for one season the Texas Rangers' closer and whose younger brother was Jordan?

There's replacement level and sub-replacement level. The subs are always available. Indy league etc. Let's agree to disagree on whether Lawrence or Latos are replacement level. Neither Grilli nor Benoit were league minimum guys. Not talking about their salaries ... they were pitching at or below replacement level, and were essentially free to acquire - freely available talent is pretty comparable to replacement level. Fair point on Latos, time will tell.  I'm optimistic Lawrence is at least replacement level - he's been solid in 9 IPs for the Mariners since we gave up on him.  I did not know that D Navarro was still available. He may accept a minor league deal. Better than nothing. Injuries have been a problem for the Jays. I hope 6 weeks from now we are still in it.

If we want someone on an above replacement level reliever who is similar to Grilli's performance, I just suggest the A's and Canadian John Axford who just got off the DL. Or the Jays could package Grilli and Bolsinger to a team which needs starting pitching but has abundance of relievers.

For catchers to backup injuries, get sub-replacement level catcher who has performed well above sub-replacement level. Let the Jays see if he can be improved to above replacement level. When I looked at former minor league and MLB hitters in indy leagues, I mentioned Max Ramirez. However, no one cares anyway.

...optioned back to Syracuse.

It just flows off the tongue by now....

When the broadcast crew mentioned that Gardner was the fifth Yankee draft pick to make it to 1000 hits in pinstripes, I just had to know who the other four were. Jeter's the no-brainer, of course. The other three are Munson, Mattingly, and Posada.

Well I learned something there. I always thought that Bernie Williams was a NY draft pick

I always thought that Bernie Williams was a NY draft pick

Yeah, the Yankees did okay signing amateur free agents from the Dominican (Williams, Cano). And Panama, too (Rivera). Bobby Murcer was a contender in my mind, but they signed him as ab 18 year old free agent two years before the amateur draft started.

How many Jays draft picks reached 1000 hits in a Toronto uniform? Lloyd Moseby, Shannon Stewart and ???.

First guess would be Vernon.

Not a quiz. I honestly don't know anyone else.

Doh.

I was thinking of Delgado.

But I guess using draft picks as a criteria eliminates all international players.

Sincere thanks Magpie, I love it when I add to my baseball knowledge.

Liriano can be rather impressive when he gets in a groove. Just wish it happened a bit more often.

I looked it up, and it is indeed Wells, Moseby, and Stewart. Only nine guys have 1000 hits in a Toronto uniform. Fernandez and Delgado were both undrafted. Carter, Bautista, and Garcia (also undrafted) were obtained in trades and Bell (also undrafted) was a Rule 5 pick.

Given that he's sitting next to a former major league 1B, it drives me crazy that Buck continues to rave about Smoak's defence. Smoak deserves every plaudit for his offence so far this year but the defence has been same old same old

Big AB for Maile, who's finally made it to the... what, the sub-Mendoza Line?

it drives me crazy that Buck continues to rave about Smoak's defence.

I attribute it to years of watching Edwin Encarnacion and Adam Lind. Your standards slip.

And Maile slips back down to .098 and you'd think there'd be a catchy term for this, like the Mendoza Line. But then again, how often has it been needed?

It does although I think EE turned himself into an average defensive 1B by last year.

EE turned himself into an average defensive 1B by last year.

Both him and Lind essentially learned the position at the major league level, and both were semi-adequate by the end of their Toronto tenures. But for a couple of years there, if the infielder's throw didn't hit EE's glove, he simply wasn't going to catch it.

I was just about to type that this was a dangerous outing for Barnes. He was really worked hard on Tuesday night. In addition to his two innings he threw a ton of pitches in the pen

Nice win for the Jays.  I'd be happy with a split in this series.  Great to see Donaldson and Tulo both hitting well today.  The lineup is a lot stronger now, and the pitching is returning to strength.

"....a dangerous outing for Barnes...."

I wouldn't blame the Tuesday outing.  He's had two full days of rest since then.  I think we just need to temper our expectations of him.  Remember that he only pitched 13 innings in the majors last season.  He's still essentially a rookie -- he doesn't even have as much experience as Tepera, and we've seen that Tepera didn't really flourish until his 3rd season of major-league experience.

I like Barnes, but I wouldn't assume he should automatically have a full-time Toronto job now.  It will depend on his performance.  With the presence of Leone and Campos and others as available Buffalo pitchers with options, I hope the Jays are willing to keep rotating pitchers through the Toronto bullpen as necessary.

Solid win.

Is it more, or are teams just not pitching Judge inside enough? Big body, long arms, I say try and tie him up with hard stuff in a la Richie Sexson.

*me

For those who want to go back in time to the early days of the Blue Jays, I strongly urge you to check out this video link.

Barnes was very wild. He has good command usually.

Tepera has better stuff and less control and today he pitched very defensively.
He's more effective when he mixes his stuff. His sinker is like a screwball.

I wasn't expecting Liriano to be back in the 6th.
I think the bullpen would have fared better if they didn't have to come to douse the fire.
But then again, I have no idea if Barnes' issue was mental or physical.

That was another pretty good game.
A split wouldn't be a disaster but they need to take advantage of the upcoming series against the A's.

The Rangers have fallen behind the Troutless Angels now.
That brings a smirk to my face.

bluejayway - agreed. i'm actually flabbergasted they don't just pound judge up and in relentlessly at this point.

Looking at the teams ahead of them in the Wild Card standings:  you could speculate that the Jays can overtake the fading Twins and Orioles and the Trout-lacking Angels.  That would leave their only rival as Tampa Bay, who continue to look surprisingly strong -- but are ahead of the Jays by only 1.5 games.

yanks and sox are well within reach imo.

Age 21

Pompey MLB: .308babip, 105wrc+ (+21.3uzr/150, -1drs)
Benintendi MLB: .367babip, 120wrc+ (-5.3uzr/150, -1drs)

Pompey AAA: .442babip, 137wrc+
Benintendi AAA: ---

Pompey AA: .330babip, 138wrc+
Benintendi AA: .308babip, 138wrc+

Pompey A+: .380babip, 150wrc+
Benintendi A+: .354babip, 164wrc+

Age 22

Pompey MLB: .275babip, 81wrc+ (-0.5uzr/150, +6drs)
Benintendi MLB: .281babip, 86wrc+ (-0.1uzr/150, +1drs)

Age 21-22 MLB:

Pompey: .284babip, 88wrc+, +4.1uzr/150, +4drs, 0.4fwar, 0.7bwar, 2.5war/650
Benintendi: .311babip, 98wrc+, -2.1uzr/150, +0drs, 0.9fwar, 1.0bwar, 1.8war/650

About that fantasy report on Biagini, there's nothing wrong with using all you pitches in the first inning.
You're need to figure out which pitch is working for when you need it and you're facing the top of the lineup hunting for fastballs until you've showed them something else.

I still would rather have Pompey in left then Carrera. I wonder if all those errors are finally getting to Gibby.

Only 3 teams with .600+ records. I would not be surprised if in the end only 3 teams have a 600 record.

Insider article rating the 10 best defensive outfielders. Surprisingly no Carrera on the list, but Pillar #2 behind only Kiermaier:

"2. Kevin Pillar, CF, Toronto Blue Jays: Looking back, it's amazing to think that there were ever doubts that Pillar could handle center field defensively, but in his first couple of seasons with the Blue Jays he spent most of his time in the outfield corners. The pattern within his defensive numbers suggests that Pillar may well have improved defensively since reaching the majors, which is fairly unusual. Most players' defensive abilities peak in their early 20s, several years before their best offensive seasons. But whatever road Pillar took to get here, there is no denying he is one of the game's elite glove men now. Since he became a full-time center fielder in 2015, he has saved 39 runs there, 10 more than Cain in third place -- yet just over half of the total of the player I ranked No. 1 on this list."

I was a Biagini skeptic this winter, but if he can get his curveball over for strikes in any count, he's a starter, full stop. He did it last time and he's doing it today. Good sign.

The sub-Mendoza line? From .100 to .199 is the interstate. Maile was on it, briefly. He'll be back on soon enough.

From .100 to .199 is the interstate.

And the stratum below is the oughts? As in, dang, he ought to at least be on the interstate by now.

it's funny, maile seems so good to me handling the pitching staff that i honestly like having him in the lineup even though he hits like a pitcher.

yeah alex i'm about ready to eat crow on biagini starting. both his curve and change look real sharp.

and if liriano can hold it together, then suddenly our no-depth rotation has too many arms.

The Gods of BABIP are cutting Maile some slack. Next station, Mendoza. Everyone keep your arms in the train.

This game feels like last year's playoffs, with an off-speed specialist having his way with the Jays.

Brett Gardner is having a Brady Anderson pod person season.

Thanks for your service, Grilli, but it's time to pull the plug.

The good will Grilli earned back is gone. He has personality, but will that be enough to stave off a DFA?

yikes. 2 more after i posted that. your 40, grilli. it's time.

Biagini as SP (6 starts):

5.1ip/gs, 76.5pc/gs, 20.6k%/5.6b%

77era-, 67fip-, 77xfip-

0.8fwar, 0.4ra9war, 3.2war/32gs


pretty dang good. way better than i'd have guessed.

The good news is there will be two logical DFA candidates to make room for Sparkman when he's ready. The Jays need a reliever who can save the good ones and eat up innings. Grilli and Howell can't do that.

i'm guessing howell turns out fine.

The odds of Grilli being anything but toast are pretty long I'd say.

A 7-0 loss. Is it about time to swap Smoak and JoeyBats slots in the order. JoeyBats started 5th....

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/brett-lawrie-mlb-comeback-return-blue-jays-thing/

Well, someone is possibly not crying.

I'm used to those Jays struggling against young nameless junk throwing lefties.

Still a chance for the split.

I wasn't watching the game in the ninth when Barnes was brought on.  It is puzzling to me because Barnes has had a fair bit of work (and had thrown yesterday), and I would have thought that you would let Howell finish the game. Barnes' outing yesterday wasn't good, but it didn't seem to me to be so deflating for him to be put back on the horse the next day absent a pressing need. 

Fox broadcast team talking about Three True Outcomes. I had not realized the term had moved to the popular lexicon.

"....in the ninth when Barnes was brought on.  It is puzzling...."

I wasn't watching the late innings either, but is it not likely that Gibbons had both Howell and Barnes warming up as soon as Grilli gave up the first HR of the inning?  Gibbons would probably have had a LHP and RHP warming up in the 8th, still hoping that the Jays could rally in the bottom of the inning.  Then, having warmed up both of them, he would have opted to put both of them into the game, rather than warming up a third pitcher for the 9th.

In any event, Howell threw only 3 pitches and Barnes threw only 8 pitches, which isn't much beyond the warm-up pitches they had already thrown.  Barnes of course is unlikely to pitch today after his two consecutive outings, but the bullpen still has 5 relatively rested relievers in it today.  Stroman should be good for 6 or 7 innings, so the bullpen should be in decent shape today.

Grilli's disaster was disappointing.  Before last night, he hadn't allowed any earned runs in 9 of his previous 10 appearances.  Seemed to be returning to form. 

Should he be DFA'd to make room for Sparkman?  I can see the argument for it, but I also don't think we should completely discard the evidence of those last 10 appearances by Grilli either.  It's a bit of a conundrum.

It would have been such a nice story had the jays won the world series last year and Grilli could go out on top.

Alas.

I do not like to give up on players too soon but he has a 6.10 FIP, and his ERA 2016-17 is now approaching 5.00 in 88 games.

I think it is time to pull the plug. Sorry Jason.

Johnny Mercer said something about accentuating the positive. Luke Maile, now comfortably entrenched on Alex's interstate, sports a positive OPS+. That negative number was just hurting my brain.

I'd like to eliminate the negative (to say nothing of avoiding messing with Mr. In Between), but it seems that Kevin Pillar is regressing to his mean. An 0-fer today would drop his OPS+ into the 90s, the same world he lived in in 2015. It's hard to know who exactly Pillar v.17 really is. The April results speak to his much ballyhooed wilful desire to change. His May results speak a leopard having a hard time changing his spots. Is there happy midpoint?

A little latching on to the affirmative, but colour me among the many impressed by Biagini the starter. I'll believe he's returning to the bullpen once I see 5 healthy, productive starters squeezing him out. I'm not holding my breath.

Barnes got hot in the 7th before Biagini closed out in the inning. I assumed he was going to be used to keep a 2-0 game tight, and that once it went to 3-0 Gibby was going to roll with Grilli/Howell to finish up. I was very surprised Barnes got the 9th, and really hope it had to do with the availability of Howell.

If Gibby is going to use Loup and Howell mostly as LOOGYs it's imperative that the Jays add an arm that can give the some length in the bullpen. Having Grilli last in the RH RP pecking order and unable to throw more than 1 inning makes it really difficult to manage.

It's nice to see Coghlan starting today, as I remain confused about his purpose on this roster. If he isn't good enough to start over Carrera vs. RHP and isn't a good defensive replacement he is basically useless on a roster that already carries two poor hitting infield backups. I don't like 8 man bullpens but if the alternative is carrying an OF solely in case of emergency, just give Gibby an extra arm.

I really enjoy your sense of humor Chuck. Thank you for many laughs.

By reading many posts I get a good feel for the poster's personality.

This is a classy site. I have not forgotten all the other Bauxites. So don't feel neglected. You are all great.

I still believe in Coghlan. As much as I do Carrera, at least.

Pillar looks like the same 90-95wrc+ guy as always to me. I'm a little bit more worried about his defense, tbh. Hopefully it's just a bad streak but from what i've seen the tough catches have mostly turned into misses this year, and the defensive metrics agree.

now that i think of it barney and coghlan starting the past 2 games is probably a warning shot to zeke about that bunt attempt (and defensive miscues).

Pompey is in Buffalo and playing centerfield (and leading off) today.  You'd think that he would have a decent shot at a call-up with a week to 10 days.

Pompey went 1-2 and then was replaced in the top of the 4th inning.  Hopefully, he's OK and perhaps packing his bags for a trip a little earlier than expected. 

The "Fire the Grilli" Apron promo scheduled for Jun 18 might just ensures Grilli sticks around for at least that long.

Coghlan has no role on this or any other major league roster. I really do not think that he does anything to assist a major league roster.

now that is a satisfying clutchtastic win.

ans the one run game dominance continues.

eh coghlan is a career league avg (100wrc+) hitter and above average (106) vRHP, while playing passable corner OF defense. he has every chance of being a useful piece.

Jays get outscored by 14 runs but split the series.

That's just great management by Gibbons.

Another 1 run win.

Coghlan is replacement level with some up years and some down year. This year looks like a down year.
I'd rather have Pompey who has better defense and game changing speed. Arguably, they could also drop Carrera.
Also, I hope they don't rush Pearce who should be back in late June.

Actually, I do need to be more charitable to Coghlan. He clearly has the ability to take a walk, which he has displayed this year. Honestly, I have yet to see him play any position at a league average level. Historically he's been a slightly below average defender in the OF, he looks like he's lost a step or two from that. So, I agree, he's not the worst option as 4/5 OF, but I think I'd rather see Barney getting that work and have another reliever to soak up low leverage innings (ie Saturday's 9th) than keep Coghlan around.

A real MLB quality OF replacing Coghlan would be even better.

Ranking for coming off the 40-men roster candidates:

1) Bolsinger
2) Grilli
3) Coghlan

Replacement Candidates on the active roster
1) Cesar Valdez for Grilli?
2) Raffy Lopez for Coghlan?

Or if giving a veteran a favor to play in the MLB is fine, Jarrett Grube replaces Bolsinger on the 40-men and then is promoted to replace Grilli. Grube is 35 and only pitches 2/3 MLB innings but 1337 2/3 minor league innings. After using Grube as a reliever, then send Grube to Buffalo for Cesar Valdez. Finally, Jeff Beliveau takes the one 40-men roster spot that either Bolsinger and Grube, Grilli or Coghlan holds.

Names in bolds indicate the players are on the active roster.
40-men roster spot #1 Bolsigner --> Grube ---> Grube, Pompey/House
40-men roster spot #2 Grilli --> Grilli ------------> Beliveau
40-men roster spot #3 Coghlan --> Coghlan --> Raffy Lopez ---> Lopez, Maille

The team is now at the roster configuration of active Grilli, and Coghlan and DFA'ed Bolsigner. In Buffalo, Grilli becomes a kind of player, coach and closer to Murphy Smith, Girodo and Browning...

X-rays on Devon Travis' hand are negative.

I'm glad Gibbons benched Zeke the past two games, especially if it was for the bunt attempt two nights ago and the lack of baseball IQ he tends to show in the outfield way too often. Coghlan is a solid option in left field against RHP if the alternative is Carrera. It's a shame Pompey got hurt as he could have gotten a ton of time this season with Pearce out. Even when Pearce gets back, the Jays will need another OF. Pearce's body probably won't hold up in the OF full-time, and Carrera is highly fungible as a player. If the M's fall out of it by the deadline, then Jarrod Dyson would fit this roster like a glove.

"The "Fire the Grilli" Apron promo scheduled for Jun 18 might just ensures Grilli sticks around for at least that long."

I believe the June 18th promotion is entitled "Fire Up the Grilli". Sadly, Scottt, I think your name for it may be more apropos.

6 straight series coming up against current sub-.500 teams now, before coming back to face BAL-BOS-NYY.

Jays lose a 12-2 game and a 7-0 game, win a 7-5 game and a 3-2. They get outscored 26-12 in the four games but earn a split, which is like the bizarro Blue Jays. Also they've won their last 7 or 8 one run games. Suddenly everything is opposite land.

Luckily the Travis hbp resulted in negative x-rays, so he should be just day to day.

Not going to be much of a bench with both Martin and Travis day to day.

Jeff Beliveau has traveled west with the Jays. Does that mean that Howell be be DFA today?

Jeff Beliveau has traveled west with the Jays.

Le Gros Bill... the Oakland Seals (no, the California Golden Seals!)... hopefully they give the new guy #4.

I would rather keep giving howell looks for now, tbh.

it could also be Grilli as odd man out.

it could be Travis to DL but with all the coming off days an extra reliever should not be needed

Shi Davidi is mentioning Beliveau being called up on Primetime Sports right now. Beliveau was terrific in both AAA and the majors in 2014, then missed almost all of 2015 with shoulder trouble. Last season looked like a year he was regrouping from the shoulder problem, as he spent it mainly in advanced A ball, but he looks now to have recovered his 2014 form. In his last 7 games in Buffalo, he has pitched 16 2/3 innings and only allowed 3 hits and 6 walks, with 23 K's and only 1 run allowed.

Beliveau was one of our most under-the-radar minor moves of the offseason IMO.  In addition to being lights out recently, he's versatile - he can get lefties out or work multiple innings.  17 games this year including a spot start, covering 32 IPs, with a WHIP below 1.  If he is officially added to the 40 man and gets some run with the Jays, I'd be fine with cutting Howell if Beliveau outperforms him. 

Meant to post this on the weekend:

Updated Past Calendar Year wRC+ and ERA- for TOR/BOS/NYY


Donaldson 167 -- Betts 130 ------ Sanchez 155
Morales 129 ---- Ramirez 130 ---- Judge 154
Martin 125 ------ Pedroia 112 ---- Holliday 119
Bautista 115 --- Bogaerts 108 --- Hicks 114
Tulowitzki 108 - Leon 106 -------- Gardner 110
Travis 106 ------ Benintendi 104 - Castro 109
Smoak 104 ------ Moreland 105 -- Gregorius 107
Pearce 99 ------- Bradley 99 ------ Carter 105
Pillar 95 --------- Sandoval 81 ----- Headley 92

Coghlan 85 ----- Young 106 ------ Ellsbury 91
Carrera 81 ----- Vazquez 91 ----- Torreyes 78
Barney 60 ------ Holt 89 ---------- Refsnyder 63
Maile 39 -------- Rutledge 43 ---- Romine 51



Sanchez 72 ---- Porcello 73 ---- Montgomery 87
Happ 80 -------- Price 80 --------- Pineda 93
Stroman 92 ----- Sale 82 -------- Tanaka 100
Estrada 94 ----- Pomeranz 95 --- Sabathia 100
Liriano 113 ---- Rodriguez 99 --- Severino 100
Biagini 77 ------ Wright 112 ------ Green 131


Tepera 63 ------ Scott 22 --------- Green 28
Smith 70 ------- Kelly 29 ---------- Chapman 43
Loup 70 -------- Thornburg 38 --- Betances 56
Osuna 77 ------- Kimbrel 61 ----- Shreve 66
Barnes 80 ------ Hembree 74 ------ Clippard 77
Biagini 88 ------ Barnes 99 ------ Holder 95
Howell 105 ----- Abad 108 ------- Warren 99
Grilli 118 ------- Smith -- ----------- Layne 105

Fan590 reports that Howell nowhere to be found in Jays clubhouse and expect that he has been DFA....no official announcement yet.

Howell DL'ed per Davidi

Makes more sense

Heard that Tepera wants to be considered for a starter's role next year. Aside from his 1st pro season in the Gulf Coast League, he didn't have a lot of success in the minors until he moved to the bullpen in 2014, but he has produced some very strong numbers the last 3 years. For his mlb career, he's allowed only 60 hits in 83 IP, has an ERA just over 3.00 and a WHIP just over 1.00. If they lose Liriano and Estrada, Tepera might be a decent fill in along with Biagini, until some of the prospects develop. Creates holes in the bullpen, but those are probably easier to fill.

I would leave Tepera where he is.

Howell to DL...for now. He and Grilli are dead men walking imo.

that is quality use of the phantom DL. we should do that more. like with grilli.

Between thish Howell situation, an Franklin Morales and Drew Storen last season the Jays have had to creative in finding arms for the pen. Credit goes to Atkins, I think for juggling it.