Blue Jays recall INF Richard Ureña from Buffalo

Ureña now rejoins the Blue Jays and will take the roster spot of Matt Shoemaker, who the team placed on the 10-day IL Sunday.

The Blue Jays announced that they have recalled infielder Richard Ureña from Triple-A Buffalo as a corresponding move for the placement of starter Matt Shoemaker on the 10-day injured list.

Shoemaker suffered a left knee sprain in Saturday’s game and, per Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith, is still awaiting the results of an MRI that was presumably taken shortly after the injury.

This injury was incredibly unfortunate for Shoemaker, 32, who’d pitched to an ERA of 1.75 in 28.2 frames, striking out 24 and walking just nine. He racked up three wins (tied for second in MLB) and boasted a stellar WHIP of 0.872.

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Ureña, 23, will return to the major-league club after just eight days spent with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. In 27 at-bats prior to his demotion, he slashed .333/.260/.458 with three doubles in eight games.

In four games with Buffalo, he went 6-for-17 with two runs scored, seven runs batted in and three triples. He logged innings at second base and shortstop in those games.

Of course, Ureña’s second stint of the season with the big club could be short-lived, as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. could be called up within a matter of days. While Ureña could once again be sent down, Alen Hanson and Sócrates Brito also should fear for their roster spots, especially Brito, who has hit just .042 in 24 at-bats since joining the team.

It is also worth noting that the team will soon have to make room for Lourdes Gurriel Jr. when they decide to bring him back up from Buffalo as well.

While the extent of Shoemaker’s injury is not known at this point, his IL stint will keep him on the shelf until at least May 1. More to come.