Blue Jays cut five from Major League camp

The Blue Jays have made five cuts from their spring roster in the last 24 hours, sending right-handed relievers Chad Beck and Danny Farquhar to minor league camp yesterday before doing the same with left-hander Evan Crawford and right-handers Chad Jenkins and Joel Carreno this afternoon.

This year was Beck’s first big league spring training, and the 26-year-old allowed a pair of earned runs on four hits in three innings of work with two walks and three strikeouts. The Texas native made his major league debut as a September call-up in 2011 and could be one of the first options summoned from Triple-A Las Vegas in the event of an injury.

Farquhar, 25, appeared in only one game this spring, allowing one earned run on two hits in one inning of the Jays’ spring opener versus the Pirates back on March 3. Known for his funky submarine delivery and the ability to throw from different arm slots, the right-hander was reacquired by the Jays last season after being traded to Oakland in the move that brought Rajai Davis to Toronto.

Crawford, 25, had an outside chance of breaking camp with the Jays, but did impress manager John Farrell and Co. in his three scoreless outings with five strikeouts. After being a mainstay in the New Hampshire Fisher Cats’ bullpen last season and being added to Toronto’s 40-man roster, Crawford will likely open the year with Triple-A Las Vegas and be the first call-up if the Jays need a left-hander out of the ‘pen.

Jenkins, 24, opened some eyes this spring after allowing just one earned run on five hits in eight strong innings of work. He changed the grip on his changeup while tightening up the rest of his game, and the 2009 first-round pick should be a prospect to keep your eye on this season.

Carreno, 25, made his major league debut last as a September call-up last season out of the bullpen after being a key cog in Double-A New Hampshire’s starting rotation. He made three relief appearances this spring and gave up three earned runs on four hits with three strikeouts, but was sent to minor league camp when pitchers started getting stretched out because he’s going to be a starter with Triple-A Las Vegas this season and needed to pitch longer than just two innings.

– JM

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