Jays Journal
FanSided

Blue Jays: Potential options from the minors when the rosters expand

By Tyson Shushkewich

BUFFALO, NY - SEPTEMBER 25: Nate Pearson #24 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks to throw a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles at Sahlen Field on September 25, 2020 in Buffalo, New York. The Blue Jays are the home team due to the Canadian government"u2019s policy on COVID-19, which prevents them from playing in their home stadium in Canada. Blue Jays beat the Orioles 10 to 5. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - SEPTEMBER 25: Nate Pearson #24 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks to throw a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles at Sahlen Field on September 25, 2020 in Buffalo, New York. The Blue Jays are the home team due to the Canadian government"u2019s policy on COVID-19, which prevents them from playing in their home stadium in Canada. Blue Jays beat the Orioles 10 to 5. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Blue Jays
Aug 22, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Kirby Snead (60) pitches to the Detroit Tigers in the eleventh inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

A.J. Cole – RHP

A solid arm in the Blue Jays bullpen last season, A.J. Cole returned to the club this season and while he didn’t make the club on Opening Day, he pitched well when he was activated on May 8th before finding himself on the 60-day IL, appearing in six games and allowing only one earned run through 8.0 innings while posting a 1.13 ERA. Currently on a rehab assignment in AAA, the right-hander has allowed three hits and one earned run through 4.0 innings while striking out one batter with one walk.

Cole could find himself being DFA due to 40-man roster space being limited but the upside is there if he can remain healthy once the rehab assignment is complete.

Kirby Snead – LHP

Making his major league debut back in July, left-hander Kirby Snead has been solid in both the majors and the minors this season. Through 7.2 innings with the Blue Jays, Snead has thrown to a 2.35 ERA with two earned runs, seven strikeouts, and two walks. The southpaw has given up his fair share of hits (seven) and opponents hold a .259 average on him this season but he has been able to keep the damage to a minimum so far this year.

Riding the options bus twice already this season, the roster expansion could provide Snead a permanent spot in the bullpen to finish out the year, especially if fellow left-hander Brad Hand continues to struggle.

Anthony Castro – RHP

While he did not make the Opening Day roster, Anthony Castro was fantastic through April, striking out nine batters through 7.1 innings while only giving up three hits with zero earned runs. The issue for Castro this season has been staying healthy, as the right-hander has experienced multiple stints on the IL and really started to get hit around in June/July, with his ERA now sitting at 5.31 through 20.1 innings.

Currently down in AAA on a rehab assignment since August 14th, Castro has pitched well through five relief appearances, allowing two earned runs through 5.0 innings while striking out six batters with zero walks. The biggest tests for Castro will be his ability to stay healthy and to find his old form if he wants to make his way back to the Blue Jays bullpen when rosters expand.

Home/Toronto Blue Jays News