One day after using four relievers in an ugly 11-0 loss against the Detroit Tigers, the Toronto Blue Jays added Pat Venditte to their bullpen. The ambidextrous 30-year-old replaces infielder Matt Dominguez, who’s expected to remain in the organization despite being designated for assignment.
The Blue Jays recalled Dominguez Sunday, when Josh Donaldson was experiencing soreness in the webbing between his right thumb and index finger. Dominguez started at third Sunday and finished Monday’s game once the Tigers made it a blowout.
Venditte, who is joining the Blue Jays for the third time this year, has a 4.05 ERA in 6.2 innings with Toronto and a 4.15 ERA 13 innings for the Buffalo Bisons. He has struck out 23 of the 58 batters he has faced at triple-A.
The decision to designate Dominguez for assignment comes as a surprise, but this isn’t a typical DFA. Dominguez, who has options remaining, had to be placed on optional waivers because of his service time, so a DFA was required as a technicality. However, he won’t be claimed by other teams and is expected to continue playing for the Bisons after he clears waivers tomorrow.
