Blue Jays Add Prospect Aaron Sanchez to Bullpen

The Toronto Blue Jays will add highly-touted right-hander Aaron Sanchez to the roster in hopes of shoring up the Jays bullpen. Sanchez was just promoted to Buffalo last month and was 0-3 with a 4.19 ERA for the Bisons, starting six games before moving to the bullpen to monitor his innings pitched.

Sanchez was a first-round draft pick in the 2010 MLB Draft and ranked as a consensus top-50 prospect coming into this season.

“We really felt he started to turn the corner as a starter,’’ said GM Alex Anthopoulos.

That said like many young pitchers, Sanchez has struggled with control as 5.1 BB/9 ratio indicates. The plan to use Sanchez out of the bullpen would limit his exposure and control issues against major league hitters.

The move comes just one day after the Blue Jays designated reliever Sergio Santos for assignment, clearing up a 40-man roster spot so that Sanchez could be added.
The Blue Jays pitching staff was ambushed by the Boston Red Sox offense for 14 runs, giving up 18 hits, including two homers by David Ortiz.

Starter Drew Hutchison didn’t get past the third inning, giving up nine hits and six runs. Brad Mills surrendered eight runs in just two innings of work.
The Blue Jays (51-49) are tied with the New York Yankees for the second place in the American League East, four games behind the Baltimore Orioles and are 4-6 over their last 10 games.

The struggling Jays have been hit by injuries since leading the East by as many as six games in May.
Brett Lawrie, Adam Lind and Edwin Encarnacion are all on the disabled list adding fuel to the trade rumor fire.