The Blue Jays and left-hander Ryan Rowland-Smith have agreed to a minor league pact with a June 1 opt-out date, reports MLB Daily Dish’s Chris Cotillo (on Twitter). Rowland-Smith elected free agency earlier in the week rather than accepting an outright assignment from the Diamondbacks.
The 31-year-old Aussie native has been significantly better as a reliever than a starter throughout his career; he’s posted a 3.77 ERA and 3.59 FIP in 100 1/3 innings coming out of the bullpen compared to a 4.87 ERA and 5.40 FIP in 269 2/3 innings as a starter.
Rowland-Smith, a client of Frye McCann Sports, made a return to the Majors with the D’Backs this season after a three-year absence and allowed four earned runs with nine strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings of relief. The Blue Jays’ bullpen has struggled tremendously over the past week, so it’s not a huge surprise to see them adding some depth to the mix.
I don’t understand this move for the Jays or Rowland-Smith – the Jays have an 8 man bullpen with three lefties. And it’s not like the AAA roster has much space either.
Unless the Jays are about lose one of Cecil, Loup or Happ to trade or injury I don’t really see the point of this.
What’s not to understand? The Jays just gained much-needed depth with no risk. As for Rowland-Smith he knows the Jays are struggling in the pen. There may be an opportunity for him soon.
Yeah exactly. Minor League depth signings are never difficult to understand…..
I hope he does well with the Jays. I’ve liked him ever since he pitched for the Mariners a few years ago. Who can’t love an Aussie pitcher?