Blue Jays reportedly to recall Scott Diamond

Mar 5, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Scott Diamond (24) pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Scott Diamond (24) pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Blue Jays signed 29-year-old Scott Diamond to a minor league contract this past November

According to this morning’s report from Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet, the Toronto Blue Jays are about to add some more Canadian content.

Left-handed pitcher Scott Diamond is expected to be recalled from the triple-A Buffalo Bisons today in a move aimed to support a taxed bullpen.

Once a promising starter with the Minnesota Twins, Diamond has never come out of the bullpen at the major league level. This season for the Bisons, Diamond has made 12 starts with a 3.16 ERA. In 74 innings he has struck out 37 batters and walked just 14.

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The Blue Jays’ last off-day was on June 2nd and they will not see another until this coming Monday, June 20th. While Diamond does not offer a typical bullpen profile, his length will allow the Blue Jays to chew through innings in a lopsided game and save their higher-leverage arms.

Diamond last pitched on June 7th, which may have given him the edge for a call-up over fellow triple-A lefty Wade LeBlanc, who would be working on one less day of rest.

Nicholson-Smith suggests that Diamond’s 40-man roster spot could be cleared by transferring reliever Franklin Morales from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day. Given that Diamond is also out of options, he will need to clear waivers when the Blue Jays choose to return him to the minor leagues.

Toronto opens a four-game split series tonight at home against the Philadelphia Phillies with R.A. Dickey (4-6, 4.15 ERA) scheduled to face Jerad Eickhoff (3-8, 3.68 ERA).