Blue Jays: Javy Guerra claimed by the Washington Nationals

After being designated for assignment, Javy Guerra has been claimed by the Washington Nationals, the team announced Monday afternoon.

Right-handed reliever Javy Guerra has been claimed off waivers by the Washington Nationals after being designated for assignment on May 18th, the Blue Jays announced during Monday’s game.

Guerra was signed by the Blue Jays as a minor-league free agent in the winter and pitched to an ERA of 3.86 in 14.0 innings, striking out 15 and walking five.

Previously, Guerra, 33, had been designated for assignment on April 18th, sent to Triple-A Buffalo on April 22th, and recalled back to the Blue Jays on May 10th, where he remained until being cut to make room for knuckleballer Ryan Feierabend, who had his contract selected from Buffalo.

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A former member of the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Miami Marlins organizations, Guerra appeared to be a decent pickup for the club, seeing as he’d tossed some solid innings in relief early in the season.

For the Nationals, Guerra represents some much-needed bullpen depth, as their core group of relievers, namely Kyle Barraclough, Matt Grace, and Joe Ross, have struggled mightily thus far.

As a corresponding move, the Nationals have designated left-hander Dan Jennings for assignment. Jennings, 32, was signed by Washington on April 15 after spending time with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018.

Prior to his designation, Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo praised Guerra’s professionalism and team-first attitude, especially given the circumstances near the end of his tenure with the team.

As far as depth goes, the Blue Jays made a minor signing Sunday, inking southpaw Buddy Boshers to a MiLB contract, according to multiple reports.

For his career, Guerra ranks 49th among active players in saves (32) and 64th in games finished (94). He has been worth a cumulative 2.7 WAR, per Baseball Reference, and a WAR of 0.1 this season.