Blue Jays: Sean Reid-Foley to start in favour of Clayton Richard

Sean Reid-Foley will replace veteran starter Clayton Richard in the Blue Jays starting rotation for the next two weeks, according to multiple reports.

According to Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae, RHP Sean Reid-Foley will start Monday for the Blue Jays against the Baltimore Orioles instead of veteran Clayton Richard. John Lott of The Athletic noted that this is due to a “right knee stress reaction” for Richard.

Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi also noted that the Blue Jays will likely make the roster move Monday. Rob Fai of the Vancouver Canadians was the first to suggest that Reid-Foley could be coming north to join the major league team.

Mike Wilner of Sportsnet FAN 590 suggested that Richard won’t throw for two weeks and will be going on the injured list once the roster move is made official.

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Richard, 35, pitched to an ERA of 5.33 in 2018 with the San Diego Padres, striking out 108 and walking 60. It was previously announced by Jays general manager Ross Atkins that Richard would be the club’s fifth starter.

Reid-Foley, 23, appeared in seven games last season for the team, boasting an ERA of 5.13 and striking out 42 in 33.1 frames, adding two wins and four losses. He was drafted by the Jays in the second round of the 2014 draft.

Davidi also reported that the Jays “considered” lefty Thomas Pannone and Sam Gaviglio for the start. Pannone, 24, and Gaviglio, 28, are both with the team and on the active 25-man roster.

Entering this season, Reid-Foley was ranked as the organization’s ninth-best prospect overall and the team’s fourth best pitcher. In 2018, he was ranked as the organization’s tenth best prospect overall.

Reid-Foley is set to be opposed by David Hess of the Orioles, who pitched to an ERA of 4.88 last season in 103.1 innings, striking out 74 in 19 starts.