Blue Jays news and notes from Tuesday, August 7th, 2018.
Spanberger Movin’ On Up
22-year-old first baseman Chad Spanberger, acquired by the Blue Jays in the Seunghwan Oh trade in July, was recently called up to the Dunedin Blue Jays from the Lansing Lugnuts, according to the Midwest League’s official transactions page.
Since coming over to the Jays organization, the native of Granite City, Illinois has slashed .278/.289/.500 with two home runs and six RBI in 9 games. A sixth-round draft pick of the Rockies in 2017, Spanberger has been lauded for his raw, natural power and surprising speed on the basepaths given his position.
Drury Hits the DL with a Broken Hand
The Blue Jays announced Tuesday that newly acquired infielder Brandon Drury will be headed to the DL with a fractured left hand. Drury, who has hit a measly .154/.241/.231 since joining the Jays, was replaced by Richard Urena, who was recalled from Triple-A to take his place on the 25-man roster.
Josh Donaldson is to begin sprinting this week. The former mvp is an interesting August trade candidate. #jays
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) August 7, 2018
While there’s some debate as to whether the Yankees were fully aware of the injury prior to trading him, many reports suggest they genuinely thought it was nothing more than a simple bone bruise. Drury, 25, has still yet to appear in a game at Rogers Centre.
Donaldson Running Again
According to Jon Heyman of Fancred and MLB Network, Josh Donaldson will begin sprinting this week and could be on the major league roster soon. Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet further reports that Donaldson has been “working out and running”.
After a short period of pure sprinting and intensified workouts, the hope is that the 2015 AL MVP will be able to get into some rehab games prior to his activation in the lower minors.
Oh Dominant in Colorado
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The aforementioned Seunghwan Oh has continued his dominance in the NL West, pitching six scoreless innings in relief since being acquired by the Rockies in mid-July. Adding a save to his season’s totals, the Final Boss has struck out three and has walked a single batter.
Axford Blown Out in Dodgers Debut
Things didn’t go as planned for former Blue Jay John Axford in his Los Angeles Dodgers debut Saturday. Axford, 35, was tagged for six earned runs in just a third of an inning in a 14-0 loss. In total, Axford surrendered three hits, walked two batters and hit a man, leading to a comically inflated 162.00 ERA in a Dodgers uniform.
Sweeney Clears, Heads to Buffalo
Once again, utility infielder Darnell Sweeney has been assigned to Triple-A Buffalo after being designated for assignment this weekend. The former Philadelphia Phillie has appeared in just two games for the Jays, going hitless in four plate appearances, but has walked twice.
Fisher Cats Activate Copping
Corey Copping, acquired in the John Axford trade at the deadline, was recently activated by the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Appearing in his Eastern League debut this past weekend, the reliever pitched a scoreless inning while striking out two batters.