The Toronto Blue Jays made some notable roster moves this morning, shaking up the pitching staff and the infield depth. Head reporter Tom had the scoop early, predicting that Yariel Rodriguez would be called up—and that Eric Lauer would be the one to make way. As expected, Lauer has been designated for assignment, opening the door for Rodriguez to rejoin the big league club.
It’s been a tough stretch for Lauer. Tom pointed out that his velocity has dipped, and while a stomach flu back in early April seemed like a temporary explanation, the issue has lingered. A full month later, his fastball is still about a mile per hour slower than last season’s average. For a pitcher who relied on precision over overpowering stuff, losing even a little edge can be costly. Add in some command struggles, and it’s been a recipe for trouble. If he clears waivers, Lauer could head to Buffalo to work on regaining his form. But given the circumstances, it may be the last we see of him in a Blue Jays uniform.
On the flip side, Rodriguez is getting another shot. He was DFA’d over the winter but has been effective as a one- or two-inning reliever for the Bisons. His walk rate is a bit higher than ideal, but his strikeout numbers are impressive. The key shift? He’s dialed back on his fastballs and leaned heavily on his splitter and slider—using them about 70% of the time. That adjustment could be the key to finally delivering on the promise that made his signing from Japan so exciting. Blue Jays fans will be watching closely to see if that success translates to the majors.
In other news, Addison Barger has been placed on the IL, which comes as no surprise after news broke this morning that he was getting an MRI on his elbow. No official update on the injury has been released yet. Stepping in for him is Yohendrick Piñango, a Venezuelan rookie who made a strong impression in his first call-up this season. In 27 plate appearances, he struck out just three times, posting excellent contact numbers and solid exit velocities. While he hasn’t yet shown power at the MLB level—he’s still working on getting the ball in the air with authority—the tools are there. If he can replicate most of Barger’s offensive production, even without matching his defense, it’ll be a win for the Jays as they navigate this roster shuffle.