Blue Jays DFA key bullpen arm, lose starter to IL in four-part roster shuffle

The injury bug has impacted the Blue Jays badly this season and it is still only June. Mainly in the pitching staff, the starting rotation has been cut short for the majority of the season with the loss of Max Scherzer. And just as he was getting ready to return, Bowden Francis was placed on the injured list with a shoulder impingement to his throwing side.

Even though Francis had been struggling this season, Toronto really cannot afford to lose another starting pitcher. Their depth has been tested heavily this season and that may hurt them down the stretch if they don't improve the group at the deadline. Prior to getting hurt, Francis posted a 6.05 ERA with a 6.79 FIP. It seems like that shoulder problem may have been hurting him all year and it has impacted his season heavily so far. Hopefully he returns to his 2024 form once he is healthy.

The Blue Jays DFA Erik Swanson and place Bowden Francis on the injured list; Justin Bruihl was selected and Paxton Schultz was recalled.

Another arm that was injured this season had been Erik Swanson. He came back and struggled, leading to the Blue Jays deciding to DFA him. His ERA climbed to 15.19 with a 10.20 FIP, while walking more batters than striking out. He just could not return to his old form and another team could take a chance on him. If he goes unclaimed, he will remain off the 40-man roster and head to Triple-A joining the Blue Jays affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons.

Justin Bruihl got his contract selected to correspond the Swanson DFA. The journeyman southpaw pitched with the Pirates in 2024, but struggled, leading to just 5.2 major league innings. Signed this past season on a minor league deal, Bruihl has found a groove in Triple-A and will look to replicate his success in the big leagues.

With the Buffalo Bisons this season, Bruihl posted a 3.81 ERA with a 3.43 FIP and an 11.44 K/9 across 28.1 innings. He was used in some high leverage situations there, collecting two saves and three holds, but will likely be utilized in low leverage situations with Toronto.

The last move of this big shuffle was bringing Paxton Schultz back up. The rookie should have never been sent down in the first place, but was optioned recently for Spencer Turnbull. The Blue Jays fortunately got this young right hander back up and they need him to pitch like he did prior to being sent down. Schultz posted a 3.06 ERA with a 3.41 FIP and collected a 12.23 K/9 across 17.2 innings. Schultz has been very impressive this season and him maintaining this success could really help Toronto stay hot.

The bullpen will be heavily relied on until Scherzer can return, so getting solid arms like Schultz and Bruihl up here should hopefully do the job. For the duration of the season, Toronto needs for this Francis injury to be minor or their depth will be really short down the stretch.