The Toronto Blue Jays inquired about free agent left-hander Cory Luebke, as FOX Sports reported Wednesday. However, an industry source told Sportsnet that substantive discussions have not taken place and that the inquiry was primarily health-based.
Luebke showed promise with the San Diego Padres from 2010-12, posting a 3.25 ERA with 195 strikeouts in 188.1 innings. But the 30-year-old has undergone two Tommy John surgeries in the last four years and hasn’t appeared at the MLB level since April of 2012.
It’s not yet clear whether the Blue Jays have meaningful interest in Luebke or are merely doing diligence on available arms. Toronto’s front office continues seeking pitching depth and if healthy, Luebke could pitch in the bullpen or the rotation. The 2007 first-round draft pick has started 25 MLB games and appeared in 30 more as a reliever.
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The Blue Jays have considered a wide range of pitchers this winter, showing varying levels of interest in top free agent relievers such as Mark Lowe and Joakim Soria and rehabilitating pitchers such as Luebke and former Washington Nationals reliever Craig Stammen.
The Blue Jays have addressed their starting rotation with deals for J.A. Happ, Marco Estrada and Jesse Chavez. However, additional rotation depth would help and their bullpen still needs work.
