Blue Jays: An update on some former players still active- 9/28/18

As September quickly approaches and speculation of late trades and call-ups continue to rule our baseball minds, it’s time once again for something a little different – an update on some names we used to cheer for ever so passionately.

Chavez Back to the Bigs?

Jesse Chavez, a two-time Blue Jay who served as a starter/reliever hybrid for much of the 2016 season, has found a new home with the Chicago Cubs as a top leverage reliever. Since ending his second stint with Toronto, the 35-year-old journeyman has spent time in the Dodgers, Angels, and Rangers organizations.

This season, he’s pitched to a stellar 1.33 ERA in 15 games for the Cubbies, saving a single game and striking out 24 while walking just two.

Hendriks Remains an Athletic

Liam Hendriks, the energetic Aussie also known as “Slydah”, has remained with the Oakland Athletics since being traded there by the Blue Jays in 2015 for none other than Jesse Chavez. After a pair of decent seasons with the Athletics (3.76 ERA in 64.2 IP in 2016, 4.22 ERA in 64.0 IP in 2017) the native of Perth stumbled out of the gate this year and was demoted to the minor leagues.

In just 22.1 frames with the Nashville Sounds, Oakland’s Triple-A affiliate, Hendriks has allowed eight earned runs and has pitched to a 1.030 WHIP in 21 games overall.

Cecil Struggles as a Cardinal

Since signing a massive four-year, $30.5 million contract with St. Louis in late 2016, Brett Cecil, who tossed over 650 innings in a Blue Jays uniform, has been unexpectedly mediocre in the National League. Although his 2017 season was great (3.88 ERA, 1.233 WHIP, 66 K in 67.1 IP), his 2018 campaign has been less than stellar.

Following a cumbersome DL stint this summer, Cecil has pitched to a 9.00 ERA in five games since being activated, amounting to a cumulative 6.08 ERA on the season.

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Espi Working in Mexico

Danny Espinosa, who was briefly a potential infield piece for the Blue Jays this winter, has signed on with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League. A Mexican-American, Espinosa, a former Washington National, represented Mexico at the 2017 World Baseball Classic. In parts of eight seasons, Espinosa has mashed 98 home runs and has driven in 316 runs while slashing .221/.297/.378 in over 2900 at-bats.

Thole Trying Again in Michigan

R.A. Dickey’s personal catcher, Josh Thole, is currently working to climb the minor league ladder in the Detroit Tigers organization. Since signing a MiLB deal with the Tigers in June, Thole has appeared in 17 games for the Erie SeaWolves (Detroit’s Double-A affiliate), slashing .260/.333/.340 in 50 at-bats.

Bo Recovering in Pittsburgh

Since undergoing Tommy John surgery in March 2017, right-handed flamethrower Bo Schultz has been steadily regaining strength in his arm, signing a MiLB deal with the Pirates earlier this year. In 37.2 frames split between High-A and Triple-A, Schultz has pitched to a masterful ERA of 1.43 while striking out 32 and walking just 14. Additionally, he has racked up three saves and has allowed just six earned runs.

Girodo Tossing in Indy Ball

Chad Girodo, a Blue Jays farmhand who made 14 appearances at the major league level in 2016, is now a member of the Chicago Dogs of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. Since signing with the Dogs in July, the 27-year-old has pitched to a 4.05 ERA in 20.0 innings spread across 19 contests.