Blue Jays designate Felix Doubront for assignment

Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker says the young staff will learn a ton from veteran LaTroy Hawkins, and has faith that the current staff is more than capable to 'get it done.'

The Toronto Blue Jays designated Felix Doubront for assignment in a move that creates roster space for newly acquired shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.

Doubront started for the Blue Jays Tuesday, lasting four-plus innings while allowing three earned runs on six hits and two walks. The left-hander’s season ERA climbed to 4.76 as the Blue Jays lost 3-2 to the Philadelphia Phillies.

“He started scattering a little bit, maybe he was overthrowing, I don’t know,” manager John Gibbons said. “That was the difference in the game.”

Since impressing in his first start with Toronto, Doubront has pitched five or fewer innings in three consecutive outings, reinforcing the need for a rotation upgrade in Toronto.

The Blue Jays don’t have a fifth starter for Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Royals. They could call up a starter such as Daniel Norris if they don’t complete a trade, but GM Alex Anthopoulos has said he’s working the phone lines in an attempt to bolster his pitching staff by Friday’s 4 p.m. ET trade deadline.

“I hope so is probably all I’d say, but I really can’t forecast the next three or four days,” Anthopoulos said.

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