Blue Jays claim West from Texas, designate Burns

Toronto Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos (Nathan Denette/CP)

The Toronto Blue Jays added relief depth Wednesday, claiming right-hander Matt West off of waivers from the Texas Rangers.

West, who converted to the mound in 2011 after beginning his pro career as an infielder, made his MLB debut with the Rangers in 2014. The 26-year-old allowed three earned runs in four MLB innings, but he posted much better numbers at the minor league level. West, who throws a 95 mph fastball, posted a 3.34 ERA with 64 strikeouts, 18 walks and 59 hits allowed in 56.2 innings in the upper minors of Texas’ system.

West had been designated for assignment by Texas on January 5 when the Rangers signed Adam Rosales. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays designated right-hander Cory Burns for assignment to create room on the 40-man roster. Burns had initially been claimed from the Tampa Bay Rays at the end of September of 2014.

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