Toronto Blue Jays call up right-handed starter following Ponce injury
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The Toronto Blue Jays called up right-handed starting pitcher Lazaro Estrada from Triple-A Buffalo late Monday night.
The Toronto Blue Jays endured a brutal outing Monday night, falling 14–5 to the Colorado Rockies in a game that unraveled quickly.
A Cody Ponce pitching injury early on forced heavy bullpen usage, and things got so out of hand that a position player was called on to pitch by the end of the night.
In the aftermath, Toronto moved quickly to address its pitching situation.
With Ponce sidelined due to injury, the Blue Jays are set to promote right-hander Lazaro Estrada from Triple-A Buffalo, as first reported by Francys Romero late last night.
The Toronto Blue Jays have recalled right-hander pitcher Lázaro Estrada from Buffalo, Triple-A, per source. He is expected to join the team tomorrow. Estrada, 26, threw 2.2 scoreless innings with 3 strikeouts on Friday in Triple-A Buffalo.
Estrada looking to have a better stint the second time around
Estrada, a 5-foot-10 native of Cuba, has limited experience in the majors, having made just two appearances with Toronto last season.
Over 7.1 innings, he allowed seven runs while striking out 10 batters. Notably, he issued just one walk, giving him an impressive strikeout-to-walk ratio.
During spring training, Estrada appeared in six games for the Blue Jays and posted a 4.76 ERA.
He recently kicked off his Triple-A campaign with a strong showing, tossing 2.2 scoreless and hitless innings in his season debut on Friday.
The right-hander features a four-pitch repertoire, led by a 93 mph four-seam fastball, and supported by a slider, sinker, and an occasional curveball.
At the Triple-A level last year, Estrada recorded a 5.73 ERA across 26 outings, including 20 starts.
Given his experience as a starter, he’s built up enough stamina to provide multiple innings out of the bullpen, something Toronto may lean on as the series against Colorado continues.
Estrada also brings roster flexibility, as he has less than a full year of MLB service time and still has two minor-league options remaining.
The Blue Jays are still awaiting on imaging on Ponce's right knee, an update on his status is sure to follow at some point on Tuesday.
Also read on Blue Jays Central :
Toronto Blue Jays provide latest update on Cody Ponce knee injury
Toronto Blue Jays provide latest update on Cody Ponce knee injury
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