The Toronto Blue Jays select the contract of pitcher Lazaro Estrada
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The Toronto Blue Jays are set to select the contract of right-hander Lazaro Estrada today, according to a report from Yordano Carmona of Pelota Cubana USA.
Toronto's 40-man roster is full, so a corresponding move will be necessary to make room for Estrada on both the active and 40-man rosters.
Should Estrada make an appearance while on the roster, it would be his big league debut.
Estrada, 26, was born in La Habana, Cuba and made his pro debut with the Blue Jays back in 2018.
After losing a season of development to 2020's cancelled minor league season, Estrada managed just 39 1/3 innings of work total between 2021 and '22 due to injuries.
That slowed his ascent up the minor league ladder considerably, and he only cracked the Double-A level just last year.
Despite that slow-going path to the majors, however, Estrada posted a 3.29 ERA across three levels of the minors last year and has followed that up by more or less holding his own at the Triple-A level this year.
Blue Jays No. 25 prospect Lazaro Estrada struck out a season-high seven batters tonight for the Buffalo Bisons! The 2024 Scottsdale Scorpion went 5.2 innings generating 13 whiffs (per Baseball Savant) and allowing just one run on three hits. Estrada factored into the decision taking home the win, his second of the season.
He has a 4.75 ERA through 15 starts, but his 24.8% strikeout rate is quite strong for a starter while his 7.8% walk rate is roughly average.
It's not entirely clear what role Estrada will play now that he's headed to the majors.
The Blue Jays have a full rotation for the first time in a while, with Max Scherzer back from the injured list and southpaw Eric Lauer having more than earned a spot in the starting five after posting a 2.60 ERA on the season, including a 3.32 ERA in four starts since moving to the rotation last month.
That duo is joined by Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, and Jose Berrios. While each of those three is having somewhat middling seasons overall, none of them should be expected to move out of the rotation barring a trip to the injured list.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 4 | 235 ANSWERS The Toronto Blue Jays select the contract of pitcher Lazaro Estrada Do you think calling up Lazaro Estrada will help the Blue Jays bullpen regulars get some needed rest? | ||
| Yes | 161 | 68.5 % |
| No | 17 | 7.2 % |
| Too early to tell | 57 | 24.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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