Blue Jays Option Rob Rasmussen, Select Bobby Korecky from Buffalo

After making liberal use of their bullpen during Thursday’s loss to the Kansas City Royals, the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday optioned lefty reliever Rob Rasmussen to Triple-A Buffalo and selected the contract of right-hander Bobby Korecky. The move was announced via an official team release on Twitter on Friday afternoon.

Korecky last made an appearance at the Major League level with the 2012 Blue Jays, when he saw just 1 inning of work and allowed a two-run home run and a walk. In 22 career relief appearances between the Blue Jays, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Minnesota Twins, Korecky owns a career mark of 2-0 with a 7.30 ERA and a miniscule 3.3 K/9 ratio.

However, things have been much different for Korecky in 2014 as a member of the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. In 22 appearances with the Blue Jays highest affialiate, Korecky has posted a sparkling 0.29 ERA by allowing just 1 run and 16 hits in 31 innings of work. A career high 9.3 K/9 ratio and a .150 batting average against has helped to earn the 34-year-old his latest shot in the majors.

As mentioned, he’ll replace Rob Rasmussen in the bullpen. The 25-year-old Rasmussen made 4 appearances with the good guys and did not allow a run in 2 innings of work. However, he threw 25 pitches last night in an outing that featured obvious control issues, and with the Blue Jays using 5 relievers last night and Rasmussen having options, he drew the short straw.

With only 39 players on the 40-man roster, the Blue Jays had an open slot to select Korecky’s contract and place him on the 40-man roster without having to make a corresponding roster move outside of Rasmussen’s option. Korecky will likely draw low-leverage duty if needed tonight.