Toronto Blue Jays DFA Todd Redmond, recall Ryan Goins

The Toronto Blue Jays were expected to move their bullpen from eight to seven eventually, and that move came this afternoon as the club designated reliever Todd Redmond for assignment.  Ryan Goins was recalled from the Buffalo Bisons after a hot spring, and will primarily serve as a utility infielder or defensive replacement late in games.  This move leaves the Toronto Blue Jays with 10 days to either waive, trade or release Redmond.

Redmond has made two outings in 2015 and allowed four earned runs in both.  If it weren’t for Kevin Pillar’s heroics last night, it would have been even worse.  He had worked himself into a great niche in 2014 as a long-man out of the bullpen that ate innings to protect the other arms, but he is now the odd man out.  Liam Hendriks, Colt Hynes and Marco Estrada will offer the Blue Jays’ middle-inning relief going forward.

In line with these moves at the Major League level, the Blue Jays have moved Andy Burns from AA to the AAA Buffalo Bisons, and transferred catcher A.J. Jimenez from the Bison’s DL to the New Hampshire FisherCats.

In Goins, the Blue Jays return a familiar face who dominates defensively, but has traditionally fallen well short with the bat.  That all changed this spring, through, where he awoke at the plate and performed well enough to make the opening 25-man roster.  Has the fresh tutelage of Brooks Jacoby finally struck a chord with Goins, or are we being fooled by a small sample size?  The answer surely falls somewhere in the middle.

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One story to keep an eye on here is the health of Jose Reyes.  After tweaking what appeared to be an oblique muscle earlier in the week, Reyes did not take a full fielding warmup before yesterday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays, despite ultimately playing.  The Blue Jays know all too well about oblique injuries given their history with Brett Lawrie, so the timing of Ryan Goins being recalled may be a sign that they’re exercising caution with their expensive shortstop.

The moves with Toronto are not over, either.  Left fielder Michael Saunders is due back in the near future, with Steve Tolleson the likely candidate to head back the other way.  A strong AAA performance from someone like Steve Delabar could easily push Colt Hynes from the bullpen, as well, if Miguel Castro can secure the closer’s role and leave two left-handers available.

Next: How does Pillar's play impact Michael Saunders?

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• Matt Chapman has been exactly what the Blue Jays needed
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• Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays advance to the Championship Series
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• Blue Jays: Adam Cimber, the unlikely decision King