When the Toronto Blue Jays optioned Steve Delabar to triple-A on Tuesday, everyone involved agreed that the right-hander would return to the big leagues eventually. Little did they know, he wouldn’t even pitch in a minor league game before re-joining the team.
The Blue Jays officially recalled Delabar from the minors Thursday, placing left-hander Brett Cecil on the disabled list with a left groin strain in a related move. While players must usually spend 10 days in the minors after being optioned, exceptions are made following injuries.
Delabar pitched in 29 games for the Blue Jays this year, posting a 4.68 ERA because of diminished velocity and reduced command. He allowed 16 walks and 18 hits in 25 innings while striking out 21. The Blue Jays optioned him Tuesday, acknowledging that he had dropped on their bullpen depth chart thanks to the strong work of Dustin McGowan and the return of Sergio Santos.
“We had to make a roster move and I’m just the guy,” Delabar told reporters at the time. “They want me to go down, continue to work on some stuff, get back on track to where I was and just be back whenever they need me.”
Turns out they needed him sooner than expected.
Cecil experienced groin soreness against the Baltimore Orioles, but had hoped to avoid the disabled list. After pitching in Wedndesday night’s game against the New York Yankees, he acknowledged that a DL stint would be required.
