Ross Stripling Has Been Valuable for the Blue Jays Early this Season

Ross Stripling was acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays at the trade deadline in 2020. At the time, the team sent two players to be named later the Dodgers’ way as part of the deal and was later announced that those two players were prospects  Kendall Williams and Ryan Noda.

At the time of acquisition, Stripling was expected to be another arm in the bullpen. As time progressed and injuries to the starting rotation started to pile up, Stripling had a few starts for the team in 2020. Similar circumstances transpired the following year, and the righty made 19 starts for the team in 2021 as well.

Although his numbers weren’t fantastic, they got better as the year progressed and they were good enough to occupy a rotation spot while one of the regular starters was on the IL.

It was announced this past weekend that Hyun-Jin Ryu would be placed on the 10-day IL with forearm soreness, and Jon Heyman reported today the club is hopeful the lefty only misses 2-3 starts. With Ryu on the injured list, Stripling is slated to take his spot in the rotation for the time being.

Initially acquired to be just another option coming out of the Blue Jays bullpen, Ross Stripling has quietly turned into a very valuable asset since his acquisition and is certainly proving his worth early this season.

Stripling has already had a start for the Blue Jays this year, as the right-hander was on the mound last Friday against the Oakland Athletics. The Blue Jays sent Stripling to the bump last week to give Ryu an extra day of rest, which he historically performs better on, and had a solid start against the A’s, pitching four innings, striking out three while giving up two hits and walking none.

The Blue Jays are surely hoping Stripling can provide the team with a few quality starts while Ryu is sidelined with his injury.