Blue Jays designate LHP Zac Rosscup for assignment

The Blue Jays have designated veteran left-handed pitcher Zac Rosscup for assignment, the team announced Tuesday.

According to a team announcement, the Blue Jays have designated left-handed pitcher Zac Rosscup for assignment. In a corresponding move, the team has selected the contract of righty Justin Shafer from Triple-A Buffalo.

Shafer had been with the team since Sunday, according to numerous reports, but was not activated until a corresponding move had been decided.

Prior to the announcement, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet had reported that the team was mulling a countermove for the now activated Shafer.

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Rosscup, 30, was claimed off waivers from the Seattle Mariners on May 23 and made just two appearances as a Blue Jay, allowing three earned runs on three hits in one inning.

Prior to joining the Mariners in 2019, Rosscup had logged time with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs organization. For his career, he has appeared in 109 games, all of them as a reliever.

Shafer, 26, was drafted by the Blue Jays in 2014 and has been with the organization ever since. In a brief six-game stint in the big leagues last year, he tossed 8.1 innings to an ERA of 3.24, striking out two and walking seven.

This year at Triple-A Buffalo, the native of Lake Wales, Florida pitched to an ERA of 0.96 in 18.2 frames, earning four games and finishing 12 games. Previously, he spent time at Double-A New Hampshire, Low-A Lansing, High-A Dunedin and Short Season-A Vancouver.

For his minor-league career, he has appeared in 168 games, striking out 268 and walking 137 in 379.0 innings.

While it is currently unknown just what role Shafer will fill, the Blue Jays could certainly use some reinforcements in their bullpen, and would welcome any consistency they can get. More to come.