The Toronto Blue Jays designated Todd Redmond for assignment Thursday in a move that creates roster space for infielder Ryan Goins.
Redmond has made two appearances for the Blue Jays this year, allowing four earned runs in each outing on his way to a 16.62 ERA. His fastball velocity had dropped off to 88.3 mph, and he walked more batters (5) than he struck out (4).
To Redmond’s credit, he pitched effectively for the Blue Jays from 2013-14 in a long relief role. He posted a 4.32 ERA in 77 innings in 2013, his first season in Toronto, before posting a 3.24 ERA in 75 innings last year. Redmond can now be claimed by rival MLB teams, but if he goes unclaimed the Blue Jays could outright him to triple-A Buffalo.
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In the meantime, the Blue Jays have a seven-man bullpen again. Right-hander Marco Estrada provides long relief for Toronto, and Liam Hendriks has been used as a long reliever in the past, though manager John Gibbons likes the Australian right-hander in a short relief role for the time being.
The decision to recall Goins lengthens the Blue Jays’ bench, a unit that previously consisted of just three players: Dioner Navarro, Danny Valencia and Steve Tolleson. Goins was one of the final cuts in spring training, and he collected seven hits in six games at triple-A. In 67 MLB games last year, he batted just .188 with a .479 OPS, but he’s undeniably a defensive difference-maker on the infield.
The move opens up a spot on Toronto’s 40-man roster.
