With more pitching injuries piling up, the Blue Jays dipped into the free agent market, adding Michael Lorenzen. Additionally, the Reds didn’t find a new home for Eugenio Suarez & TJ Friedl, neither of whom were claimed off waivers.
Lorenzen signs with Jays
Michael Lorenzen has signed with the Toronto Blue Jays. Per SportsNet (CA), Lorenzen has a locker at the Rogers Centre, indicating he’s joined the club.
Lorenzen signed with the Rockies this past winter but struggled to find consistent results. The veteran right-hander didn’t pitch badly in spurts; in fact, from June 10 through July 12, the ex-Rockie went at least five innings and allowed two or fewer runs in five of seven starts.
However, he was buried by contact allowed and hits allowed. Heading into play on August 27, Lorenzen was tied with Cristopher Sanchez with the most hits allowed (168) in the Majors, in almost 53 fewer innings. Overall, he had an ERA of 7.08.
Reds put two on waivers
The Reds placed Eugenio Suarez & TJ Friedl on waivers. Per the New York Times, neither was claimed, meaning the two will stay in Cincinnati.
It’s become normal for teams on the fringe, or out of the playoff race, to put some players on the waiver wire in late August before the deadline to add players & have them playoff-eligible.
Suarez slashed .208/.295/.410 (.705 OPS) with 19 home runs as of August 27. The Reds 3B/DH had the highest K% (34.9%) in the Majors this season (min. 325 PA). Friedl, meanwhile, spent time in Triple-A amidst a very difficult campaign. As of the 27th, he had just a .476 OPS.
Recalls & options
Xzavion Curry (Mets), Josh Rojas (Royals), and Tyler Davis (White Sox) were recalled from the Minors.
Chayce McDermott (Mets), Rikuu Nishida (White Sox), Mason Black (Royals), and Jonathan Cannon (White Sox) were optioned to the Minors.
Other notes
St. Louis selected Cade Winquest from Triple-A Memphis. Winquest was a Rule 5 Draft pick by the Yankees this past December. However, Winquest, even though he made the Yankees out of camp, never pitched in the Majors with New York before he was returned to the Cardinals.
Anthony Gose is back in the Majors, as the Royals selected the pitcher and added him to the 26-man roster from Triple-A.
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