Blue Jays Quick Hits: Ryan Borucki, Rajai Davis, and more

Blue Jays news and notes from December 20th, 2018, including an update on a former Blue Jay and the offseason workout of two young players.

Borucki and Jansen Training Together

Danny Jansen and Ryan Borucki, who have been friends and teammates since their time in rookie ball, were working out together in the offseason, the official Blue Jays Twitter account posted Monday. Jansen caught seven of Borucki’s 13 starts in 2018. In those 13 starts, Borucki had an ERA of 4.42 and struck out 28 and walked 18. Opposing batters slashed .210/.306/.333 against him in 38.2 innings.

Rajai Davis Heads to New York

Former Blue Jay Rajai Davis, who most recently suited up for the Cleveland Indians, has signed a minor-league contract with the New York Mets that includes a spring training invite, the team announced on Twitter. In 196 at-bats in 2018, Davis, 38, slashed .224/.278/.281 with 21 stolen bases, six doubles and a triple. Overall, he was worth -0.4 WAR, having appeared in 101 games; he played with the Blue Jays from 2011 to 2013, logging 1098 at-bats in Toronto.

Cubs sign Descalso, could they be out on Tulowitzki?

The Chicago Cubs, who were recently mentioned as a potential suitor for the recently released Troy Tulowitzki, have signed infielder Daniel Descalso, reports Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic. If the deal does go through and become official, it could remove the Cubs from the list of teams that would be a fit for Tulowitzki, who will be working out for teams and representatives soon, insiders have reported.

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David Garner assigned to Buffalo

Right-handed pitcher David Garner, who was selected by the Blue Jays from the Chicago Cubs in the minor-league portion of the Rule 5 Draft, has been assigned to Triple-A Buffalo, per the official International League transactions page on MiLB.com. The native of Niles, Michigan did not pitch in 2018 due to a suspension.

Elvis Luciano Joins Jays’ Top 30 Prospects

Elvis Luciano, who was the Blue Jays’ Rule 5 selection from the Kansas City Royals at the winter meetings, is now their No. 28 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline’s list. Luciano, 18, is ranked between pitcher Thomas Pannone (27) and infielder Rowdy Tellez (29). Ross Atkins bullishly said that the team strongly believes that Luciano has a genuine chance of making the team out of spring training, leading many to become sceptical over the nature of his selection in the Rule 5 draft.

The Offseason So Far

TSN’s Scott Mitchell summed up the Toronto Blue Jays offseason so far on Twitter Tuesday, where he made note of every player who has left or has joined the organization since the offseason began. He also notes that as of Wednesday, there were only 57 days until pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Florida.