Blue Jays Add One, Demote One, Win one

Todd Redmond, above, was claimed off waivers today by the Toronto Blue Jays. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsFriday has turned into quite the busy day for the Toronto Blue Jays. Not only were the Blue Jays hosting the Boston Red Sox, and former manager John Farrell, for the second time in Dunedin, but the team also made some time today to make a couple of roster moves.

According to Dan Connolly at the Baltimore Sun, the Blue Jays have claimed pitcher Todd Redmond off of waivers from the Baltimore Orioles.

Redmond, a 39th round selection of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2004, has only pitched one game at the Major League level, doing so with the Cincinnati Reds in 2012. However, he owns a 71-61 record with 3.58 ERA and a K/9 ratio of 7.41 over 8 seasons in the minor leagues. The Blue Jays will mark the fifth organization for Redmond, who has also pitched for the Braves, Reds, Orioles, and Pirates.

In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays moved right-hander Drew Hutchison to the 60-day Disabled List. Hutchison is recovering from Tommy John surgery in August 2012.

Earlier in the day, Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News reported that the Blue Jays had optioned infielder Jim Negrych to Minor League camp and added him to the Triple-A Bisons roster.

The 28-year-old Negrych, who had been in camp as a non-roster invitee, was hitting a robust .429 at the time of his demotion, with 2 home runs, 6 RBI, and a 1.265 OPS in 33 plate appearances. A 7-year Minor League veteran, Negrych has never played at the Major League level, but owns a lifetime .289 average and a .779 OPS in the minors. He’ll provide Buffalo with solid second base option, but fans shouldn’t expect to see much of him in Toronto this summer.

As for the game, the Blue Jays just beat the Red Sox behind a stellar pitching performance. J.A. Happ, Casey Janssen, Sergio Santos, and Esmil Rogers all looked good in their outings.

Happ’s performance could not have come at a more perfect time for him, especially considering the struggles by Ricky Romero in a Minor League game on Thursday. Happ finished the day with 6-innings of of two-hit ball, walking a pair and striking out three.

Janssen, in his first A-game action of the spring, struck out a pair in his one inning of work. Santos followed that up by striking out the side, but walked a hitter and tossed a pair of wild pitches in the game. Rogers then closed it out with just three pitches in the top of the ninth for the 1-0 Blue Jays win.

All and all, a good day.

Stat Sources:
Jim Negrych, baseball-reference.com
Todd Redmond, baseball-reference.com
Box Score, MLB.com