Blue Jays option Tepera, Morales deal worth $2 million

The move gives the Toronto Blue Jays a more traditional bullpen with two left-handed options in Brett Cecil and Franklin Morales

Ryan Tepera‘s stay on the opening day roster was short-lived. For a “second lefty” that throws right-handed, though, perhaps that’s not surprising.

Late Saturday night, Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi reported that the Blue Jays had optioned Tepera to make room for Franklin Morales, who the club signed after his recent release from the Milwaukee Brewers. 

Davidi adds that the contract is non-guaranteed and includes incentives, so there appears to be flexibility for both sides of the bargain.

Pitching out of the bullpen for the Kansas City Royals last season, Morales threw 62.1 innings over 67 appearances, holding opposing lefties to a slash line of .192 / .245 / .313. His numbers against right-handed hitters obviously weren’t as comforting (.779 OPS against), but there might be enough there to leave him in for one righty bat between two lefties.

It’s a tough shake for Tepera, but with only 33 Major League innings under his belt and options remaining, he was the easy demotion from the bullpen that still rests at eight.

Joe Biagini and Arnold Leon figure to remain in competition until the return of Maro Estrada from the disabled list (back) necessitates one of them losing their roster spot. Leon is out of options after coming over from Oakland in a small deal this offseason, while Biagini, the Rule 5 pick, must either be offered back to the San Francisco Giants or permanently retained via a trade agreement.