Search for right-handed bat continues, Blue Jays claim Nolan Reimold from Orioles

The Toronto Blue Jays have claimed outfielder Nolan Reimold from the Baltimore Orioles according to Seamus Doyle of CompletePhillyCoverage.com. Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com confirmed the report as it sounds like Doyle is a relative of Reimold, hence the scoop.

Reimold, 30, has dealt with injuries throughout his career and was placed on waivers by the Orioles after his 20-day rehab assignment window ended last week. He posted a .315/.420/.481 in 17 games at Double-A but the O’s couldn’t find room for him on their big league roster. The club was believed to be exploring trade options for Reimold according to Roch Kubatko of MASN but obviously weren’t able to find a suitor.

The Blue Jays will be on the hook for the remaining $500,000 of Reimold’s $1.025 million annual salary (Baltimore Sun). They just picked up Cole Gillespie yesterday, who will start in right field today against the Oakland Athletics.

What the long term plan (or even the short term plan) is for these guys I’m not really sure. Reimold has been the much better player in the past (102 career wRC+ vs. 69 wRC+ for Gillespie) but he hasn’t been the same since undergoing two neck surgeries in 2012 and 2013.

If healthy Reimold could end up being a nice pick-up for the Blue Jays, who are desperately searching for a right-handed bat to help with their well-documented struggles against left-handed pitching.

Update:

The Blue Jays announced on Twitter that outfielder Brad Glenn has been designated for assignment to make room for Reimold.