Jays claim reliever Rowen on waivers from Cubs

Ben-Rowen;-Toronto-Blue-Jays;-MLB

Ben Rown with Virginia Tech in 2010. (Mary Ann Chastain/AP)

The Toronto Blue Jays added some organizational relief depth Monday, claiming soft-tossing submariner Ben Rowen on waivers from the Chicago Cubs.

Toronto’s eight-reliever big-league bullpen is already over-crowded, so the Blue Jays assigned Rowen to triple-A Buffalo. Though the Blue Jays don’t have an immediate need for relief at the big league level, the right-hander provides depth for a Bisons pitching staff that saw Rob Rasmussen, Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd traded leading up to the July 31 deadline.

Still, with rosters set to expand less than a month from now, Rowen could earn consideration for MLB opportunities down the stretch.

Rowen, who made his MLB debut with the Texas Rangers last year, has spent the 2015 season in the upper minors of the Texas and Baltimore farm systems. In total, the 26-year-old has a 2015 ERA of 1.93 ERA with 31 strikeouts and seven walks in 46.2 innings of work.

The Rangers initially selected Rowen in the 22nd round of the 2010 MLB Draft.

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