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Blue Jays recall Richard Urena to fill 25th roster spot

By Hayden Godfrey

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 8: Richard Urena #7 of the Toronto Blue Jays makes a leaping throw in the third inning during MLB game action but cannot throw out Mikie Mahtook #15 of the Detroit Tigers who hits an infield single at Rogers Centre on September 8, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 8: Richard Urena #7 of the Toronto Blue Jays makes a leaping throw in the third inning during MLB game action but cannot throw out Mikie Mahtook #15 of the Detroit Tigers who hits an infield single at Rogers Centre on September 8, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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After leaving the last roster spot empty for a week, the Blue Jays made a minor transaction, recalling IF prospect Richard Urena from Triple-A Buffalo.

Ahead of the official start to the second half of the baseball season, the Blue Jays have made a move, recalling infielder Richard Urena from Triple-A Buffalo, the team announced Friday afternoon. Considering this move is being made to fill the 25th roster spot that was previously empty, there is no corresponding roster move.

Urena, 22, was signed by the Blue Jays as an international free agent in 2012, and has previously been listed as one of the franchise’s top prospects. Having previously played with the Lansing Lugnuts, Dunedin Blue Jays and New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the native of Duarte, Dominican Republic is well travelled as far as the minor leagues go.

However, this wealth of minor experience (636 games in total), has not exactly translated directly to major league success. In 32 total games in the bigs, Urena has slashed a measly .221/.272/.337 with two home runs, seven RBI, and a single stolen base.

In 48 total minor league games this season, Urena has slashed .223/.246/.316 with two dingers and 37 strikeouts across 206 plate appearances split between Triple-A Buffalo and High-A Dunedin.

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This move is minor in nature and Urena will likely not get many plate appearances in what will probably be a brief stint with the big club.

According to Sportsnet’s Arden Zwelling, injured infielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who was placed on the seven-day concussion disabled list last weekend, was running on the Rogers Centre field Friday, and is eligible to come off the DL on Sunday.

As Zwelling notes, a player who has been placed on the concussion DL must pass rigorous testing before ultimately being cleared to appear in a major league game. While it’s unknown just how far Gurriel is along in that process, it’s more than likely he’ll start playing once he’s eligible to return.

Next: Blue Jays: Clint Frazier available, Yanks still in on J.A. Happ

The Blue Jays take on the lowly Baltimore Orioles Friday in Toronto as Sam Gaviglio takes on Dylan Bundy in the opener.

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