The Toronto Blue Jays made their first cuts of the spring sending ten players to their minor-league camp.
According to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet, the Blue Jays have cut ten players from their spring training roster. Elvis Luciano, Julian Merryweather, Thomas Hatch, Patrick Murphy, Hector Perez, T.J. Zeuch, Alejandro Kirk, Patrick Kivlehan, Nash Knight and Logan Warmoth were all re-assigned to their minor-league camp.
Luciano spent all last season with the club due to the Rule 5 draft stipulations, however, the plan all along was for him to go back to the minor league ranks once the Blue Jays controlled his options. The 20-year old made three scoreless outings striking out a pair in Grapefruit League action.
Merryweather was acquired in the Josh Donaldson trade with the Cleveland Indians and was expected to a fixture in the rotation by this point. The front office attempted to upsell the young hurler in an attempt to lessen the sting of the J.D. deal. The 28-year old allowed four runs in 2.2 innings this spring and will presumably be in the Bisons rotation at Triple-A.
More from Toronto Blue Jays News
- Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays advance to the Championship Series
- Blue Jays: Comparisons for Alek Manoah’s Second Season
- Blue Jays: Adam Cimber, the unlikely decision King
- Toronto Blue Jays: Has the Shift Killed Kevin Gausman’s 2022 Cy Young Hopes?
- Blue Jays: What Yusei Kikuchi’s latest stumble should mean
Kirk was not expected to break camp with the team but is considered to be the catcher of the future. The 21-year old showed well in limited opportunities notching three hits including a homer in seven at-bats. Kirk also established himself as a fan favourite due to his short stature and ability to get around the bases.
Zeuch had a spring training to forget getting destroyed every time he climbed the bump. The 24-year old surrendered seven runs over 10 hits in 4.1 innings of work. Zeuch had a cup of coffee in the majors last season and is expected to be back at some point in 2020.
The Jays continue their string of televised exhibition games today when they take on the New York Yankees in Tampa, Florida. Tanner Roark will get the ball for the Jays who are 9-6 so far this spring.