Blue Jays Moves: Neil Wagner and Juan Perez Recalled

March 16, 2013; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Neil Wagner (37) throws a pitch during the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsWith the Blue Jays pitching staff in shambles and reliever Esmil Rogers set to make the start Wednesday night in Atlanta, Toronto has selected the contracts of relievers Juan Perez and Neil Wagner from Triple-A Buffalo, as reported by Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors.

The moves comes in conjunction with the designation of Ramon Ortiz for assignment and the optioning of Thad Weber to Buffalo on Tuesday night.

Both Perez and Wagner were signed over the winter as Minor League free agents and have spent the entire season with the Buffalo Bisons prior to their recall.

Perez has appeared in 17 games for the Bisons, and holds a 2-1 record with a 0.86 ERA and 10.7 K/9 ratio in 21 innings in 2013. He has previously appeared at the Major League level with both Pittsburgh and Milwaukee and has a career record of 1-2 with a 4.88 ERA and a 10.1 K/9 ratio.

Wagner has served the entire season as Buffalo’s closer and the hard-throwing right-hander has popped eyes with triple-digit fastballs. In 19 appearances, he hold a 1-0 record and 13 saves, while striking out 32 over 20.1 innings pitched (14.2 K/9). He has appeared in just 6 games in the Major Leagues, all with Oakland in 2011, where he registered a 7.20 ERA over 5 innings.

While the designation of Ortiz created an opening on the 40-man roster, the selection of both Perez and Wagner necessitated an additional move today. That came in the form of Clint Robinson, who was designated for assignment this morning.

The 29-year-old Robinson was plucked off waivers on March 29th and has appeared in 47 games for Double-A New Hampshire. He held a .270 average with 4 home runs and 22 RBI for the Fisher Cats prior to his designation. He will likely clear waivers and be optioned back to New Hampshire before the end of the week.