TORONTO – The ongoing reshaping of the Toronto Blue Jays’ pitching staff continued Thursday with the addition of reliever David Phelps on a one-year, $1.75-million major-league deal.
The agreement gives the Blue Jays a pitcher with a history of success against major-league lineups. But like other recent additions such as Steven Matz and Tyler Chatwood, Phelps struggled in 2020 and will now be seeking a bounce-back season.
To make room for Phelps on the 40-man roster, the Blue Jays designated outfielder Derek Fisher for assignment.
The right-hander first pitched for the Blue Jays in 2019, posting a 3.41 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 34.1 innings of relief before being sent to the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline. Now, he’ll be on the same staff as Thomas Hatch, the player he was traded for two summers ago (that’s not the only such pairing on the Blue Jays, as Teoscar Hernandez and Francisco Liriano were once dealt for one another, too).
But while Phelps impressed in 2019 by making a full return from Tommy John surgery, this past season was a disappointment. In 22 games for the Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies, the right-hander allowed seven home runs and 19 hits on his way to a 6.53 ERA. Even so, there were some encouraging underlying numbers including a strikeout to walk ratio of 31:5 and an increase in average fastball velocity to 94.1 m.p.h.
Now 34, Phelps joins a Blue Jays bullpen that includes Kirby Yates, Jordan Romano, Rafael Dolis and Ryan Borucki among others. Shun Yamaguchi no longer belongs in that group after being designated for assignment Thursday to make room for waiver claim Joel Payamps, and a further roster move will soon be required to make room for Phelps.
Even after adding Matz, Chatwood, Yates, Phelps and Liriano, the Blue Jays could still use a starting pitcher. They’ve shown recent interest in Taijuan Walker and James Paxton, as both would improve the club’s run prevention in 2021.
