Blue Jays Quick Hits: Ryan Tepera, Tony LaCava and more

Blue Jays news and notes from the morning of Thursday, September 20th, 2018, including the eventual arbitration decisions of a Blue Jays reliever and the status of a few former Jays.

Tepera Primed for Big Arbitration Payday

Recently, popular baseball blog MLB Trade Rumors released their list of “10 Relievers Lining Up Big First-Time Arbitration Salaries”, which included Blue Jays reliever Ryan Tepera. The column notes that while he has put up a “pedestrian” ERA this season, his hold and save totals could make for an interesting arbitration case.

Having tossed 61 frames this season, the native of Houston, Texas, has racked up 63 strikeouts appearing in 63 games. A 19th round pick in the 2009 draft, he is making $574,000 this season and is 12th on the team in WAR with 1.0.

LaCava On Mets’ Radar

According to Matt Ehalt of North Jersey, Blue Jays assistant general manager Tony LaCava has been mentioned in the New York Mets’ GM search. Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro has also been connected to the Mets through various rumours.

LaCava, who previously briefly served as the interim GM just before Shapiro’s arrival, has been with the organization since 2002.

Morrow Done for Year

More from Toronto Blue Jays News

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• Blue Jays: The goalposts are moving in the right direction
• Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays advance to the Championship Series
• Blue Jays: Comparisons for Alek Manoah’s Second Season
• Blue Jays: Adam Cimber, the unlikely decision King

Former Blue Jays hurler Brandon Morrow, who this year has pitched to a 1.47 ERA this year in 30.2  frames, has been shut down for the remainder of the season by his current team, the Chicago Cubs. The 34-year-old native of Santa Rosa, California has been on the disabled list since June 10.

A first-round draft pick of the Seattle Mariners in 2005, Morrow has seen his career turn around thanks to a few excellent seasons with the Dodgers and Padres.

Uncertainty Looms for Reyes

Former Blue Jay Jose Reyes, who this year has been a subpar contributor for the New York Mets (.195/.267/.330 in 215 ABs), doesn’t yet know whether or not he’ll retire at the end of this season, reports ESPN’s Enrique Rojas.

The four-time All-Star played 305 games in a Blue Jays uniform, slashing .289/.334/.404 with 70 doubles and 61 stolen bases in parts of three seasons.

Axford Activated by Dodgers

Reliever John Axford has been activated from the disabled list by the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to CBS Sports. The native of Port Dover, Ontario has seen his ERA rise to 5.10 since joining the Dodgers at the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31 in a last-minute trade.

Barnes Not “100%”

According to Pat Tabler on the Blue Jays television broadcast Wednesday, reliever Danny Barnes, who saw his season crumble following an abysmal stretch of baseball mid-season, is “not 100%” after going on the DL with a knee injury earlier this season. Overall, Barnes has pitched to a 6.05 ERA in 45 games, striking out 35 and walking 22 in several separate stints with the big club.