The Toronto Blue Jays and Colorado Rockies have agreed to a trade of minor league left-handers, industry sources tell Sportsnet.
The Blue Jays will acquire Jayson Aquino, who was recently designated for assignment by Colorado, for Tyler Ybarra, a 25-year-old prospect.
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In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays designated infielder Chris Colabello for assignment in order to make room for Aquino on the 40-man roster.
The 22-year-old Aquino spent the 2014 season between Class A Modesto and double-A Tulse, posting a combined ERA of 5.13 with 83 strikeouts and 38 walks in 107 innings. The native of the Dominican Republic has has a 2.84 ERA in five minor league seasons, with 405 strikeouts and 115 walks in 453.2 total innings. He has ranked among Colorado’s top 30 prospects three times, according to Baseball America.
Ybarra, who was initially selected in the 43rd round of the 2008 draft, posted a 4.42 ERA at double-A in 2014. The hard-throwing 25-year-old had been viewed as a potential candidate for selection in the 2014 Rule 5 Draft, but ultimately went unclaimed. He has a career ERA of 3.09 with 230 strikeouts and 115 walks in 218.1 minor league innings, all in the Blue Jays organization.
The Rockies have added considerable pitching depth of late, signing reliever John Axford to a minor league contract and signing starter Kyle Kendrick.
