Blue Jays: Pitching prospect David Paulino joins major league roster

Originally signed by the Detroit Tigers as an international free agent, David Paulino, entering his seventh season of professional ball, will soon make his Blue Jays debut.

According to an official team release, the Blue Jays have activated right-handed pitcher David Paulino from the disabled list (minor league) and have added him to the major league roster. Earlier reports suggested he was with the team in Miami, but an official transaction had not been announced.

Acquired by the Jays in the Roberto Osuna deal just before the non-waiver trade deadline, the 24-year-old has already logged 36 major league innings, pitching to a crooked 6.25 ERA across parts of two seasons, striking out 36 while walking 10.

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Paulino, born in Nizao, Dominican Republic, has been on the DL since May with a shoulder injury. Though he hasn’t pitched since July in the Gulf Coast League, he was on the disabled list for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.

It’s not expected that Paulino will be greatly relied on to eat up innings this month for the big club. Given his prospect standing (currently ranked 19th in the organization) and his recent injury, it’s likely he’ll get into a few games and rest between them.

Last season in the Houston Astros organization, the flamethrower, who has thrown his heater as fast as 98 mph, pitched to a 5.14 ERA at Triple-A Fresno. Though healthy, Paulino missed a chunk of the season after being suspended 80 games for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.

Prior to his suspension, he was the fourth highest ranked prospect in the Astros organization (2016) and fifth (2017) before being traded to the Jays in July. Overall, he’s logged over 200 MiLB innings, posting a 2.62 ERA and a 1.032 WHIP at nearly every level of minor league competition.