THURSDAY, 2:39pm: Valdez cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple A Las Vegas, tweets Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star.
TUESDAY, 8:53am: The Blue Jays designated reliever Merkin Valdez for assignment last night as part of a series of moves, reports MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. Valdez, 28, appeared in only two games for the Jays.
Valdez was designated for assignment in January by the Giants to make room for Aubrey Huff. Six days later, the Blue Jays acquired the reliever for cash considerations. He's out of options, a factor in the team's decision to keep him around this long. Valdez posted a 5.66 ERA, 6.9 K/9, and 5.1 BB/9 in 49.3 innings for the Giants last year. He throws in the mid-90s and was ranked among the top 60 prospects in baseball before October '06 Tommy John surgery.
Qbass187
Isn’t a “Merkin” something people put over their genitals?
Who freakin’ chooses a name like THAT for a kid!!!!
iains
It might be why he was Manny Mateo when he was first signed (and 9 months younger)
Jason_F
If you are going to lie about your age, wouldn’t you try to take advantage of it a little more than just nine months?
iains
Yeah, I never really got that. years I would understand, months seems silly.
iains
I should also mention he’s named his son Merkin Junior… It’s a good thing kids in school have no clue what a Merkin is. Heck Junior High students get real upset if they are called Homo Sapiens.
Andy Mc
who cares what his name is? what are you, 11?
nelson_c
I’m only 10 and 3 months, I swear!
iains
I bet you have a dominican birth certificate to back that up too!
iains
I bet you have a dominican birth certificate to back that up too!
Big Davey
What are you, 53?
Qbass187
What’s it to you? Pointing out something that just seems rediculious is bothersome to you I suppose? If his name was Dildo Jones you wouldn’t find that odd?
Just shut up you oversensitive douche.
Big Davey
(HIGH FIVE)
Big Davey
(HIGH FIVE)
iains
Heard from the stands in Vegas “Merkin? I thought he was Dominican?”