Blue Jays Add Hottovy Via Waivers

May 4, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Tommy Hottovy (46) delivers a pitch against the New York Yankees during the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY SportsOn Thursday, the Toronto Blue Jays were awarded a waiver claim on left-handed reliever Tommy Hottovy. Hottovy had been designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers earlier in the week to make room for Lance Berkman on the 40-man roster.

The 31-year-old reliever spent 9 games with the Kansas City Royals in 2012, accumulating a 2.89 ERA and a 5.8 K/9 ratio in 9.1 innings pitched. He spent the remainder of the season at Triple-A Omaha, where despite pitching in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, Hottovy went 2-2 with a 2.52 ERA and a solid 11.0 K/9 ratio in 50.0 innings pitched.

Hottovy was a 4th round selection of the Boston Red Sox in the 2004 amateur draft out of Wichita State University.

To make room for Hottovy, the Blue Jays designated Chad Beck for assignment. Toronto had just reacquired Beck on a waiver claim January 4th. He has been designated twice this offseason, first by the Blue Jays and then later by the Pirates.

The claim of Hottovy is strictly a roster depth move for the Blue Jays and has no bearing on what the team intends to do with left-hander Darren Oliver. Oliver is still on the outside looking in as he tries to force a trade to the Texas Rangers or to get a raise out of Toronto. MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan had reported earlier in the day that the Blue Jays and Rangers had discussed Oliver, but said that a deal was unlikely.

As it stands, Oliver is likely to retire.