Blue Jays: Who does Chad Green replace on the 40-man roster?

After the recent signing of RHP Chad Green, a corresponding roster move is imminent. Coming off of Tommy John surgery this past May, Green will likely be placed on the 60-day IL once the season begins. However, as no one can be on that list in the offseason, someone must be removed from the full 40-man roster to accommodate the new reliever.

With all position players occupying the 40-man either a prospect or set to play a role in 2023, the surplus of depth pitchers should be examined to find the most likely DFA candidate. Similar to the position players, the majority of pitchers on the 40-man are either set to have a role in 2023, or are a prospect in the system recently protected from the Rule 5 draft. That leaves a handful of pitchers with major league experience who aren’t guaranteed a roster spot out of Spring Training.

Thomas Hatch

With one minor league option to his name, Hatch still offers flexibility to the club. Last year, he offered the Jays the ability to operate as both starter and reliever, but failed to do either particularly well. Since a solid rookie year in 2020, Hatch has been without a real role for the Blue Jays, and appears ticketed for Triple-A Buffalo should he stay with the club.

Trevor Richards

Richards only gets a mention due to his lack of minor league options. Inconsistent at times, Richards does have a place in the bullpen as of now. But with many young arms sure to be competing for a bullpen spot this spring, he could be on the shortlist for DFA candidates.

Zach Thompson

One of the newest Blue Jays, Thompson is set to play a similar role to Hatch, with the main difference being major league experience. Thompson has shown the ability to effectively start as recently as 2021, and has excellent minor league relief numbers. He could be effective this year, but with little certainty in how he’ll be used and the little given up for his services, Thompson may not get to put a Jays uniform on.

Trent Thornton

Lastly, Thornton could be on the bubble as well. Now mainly a reliever, Thornton is likely headed to Buffalo as well. A decent option out of the bullpen in low leverage, it’s unlikely that Thornton breaks camp with Toronto, making him expendable in this situation.