Blue Jays roster news: Ryan Borucki rejoins Toronto

For the first time since May 29, 2022, Ryan Borucki will be wearing a Toronto Blue Jays uniform. The 31-year-old left-hander was recalled by the Blue Jays on Tuesday to join Toronto in Cincinnati, while fellow southpaw, Easton Lucas, was optioned to Triple-A.

Borucki was somewhat of a success story for the Blue Jays drafting and development department back in the mid 2010's. He was a 15th round draft pick in 2012 and after six years in the minor leagues, he made his debut with Toronto on June 26, 2018 and in one of the better debuts in Blue Jays history, he went six innings, struck out three and allowed just two earned runs on six hits.

Borucki started 17 games in total for the Blue Jays in that 2018 season, finishing with a 1.5 bWAR and looked like he might turn into a decent fourth or fifth starter. Unfortunately he only got into two games at the big league level in 2019, pitching to a 10.80 ERA, but he rebounded in a bullpen role in 2020, with a 2.70 ERA in 16.2 innings pitched in 21 games.

Borucki had trouble sticking in the majors for a full season and in June of 2022, the Blue Jays traded him to the Seattle Mariners for prospect Tyler Keenan. Since then, Borucki has played for the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Borucki had a 5.28 ERA in 35 games with the Pirates this season with 27 strikeouts in 30.2 innings pitched. While he's allowed 20 runs (18 earned) he's only allowed four home runs.

However, he has held opponents to a .236 batting average against and .312 on-base percentage. He's also been extremely effective against left handed batters, giving up just seven hits against 60 hitters, while righties have touched him for a .333 average in 66 plate appearances. Borucki has also been more effective on the road, holding hitters to a .167 average and .280 on-base percentage. But, in 12.2 innings pitched on the road, he's allowed seven earned runs on three home runs to a 4.97 ERA.

The Blue Jays are hoping that someone can come along and settle down a bullpen that has underperformed in recent weeks. While tabbing Borucki to be that guy doesn't exactly scream confidence, he's a player who does have success in a specific role. If Borucki can get big outs against left handed hitters - that would be a very valuable tool for a bullpen that seems to be running out of useful weapons by the day.