The Blue Jays have announced that they’ve placed catcher Russell Martin on the 10-day disabled list with a left oblique strain. They’ve also designated outfielder Chris Coghlan and righty Chris Smith for assignment and selected the contracts of righty Chris Rowley and catcher Mike Ohlman.
Martin left yesterday’s game due to the oblique strain. For the season, the veteran is batting .223/.354/.381 with 12 homers and 49 walks in 329 plate appearances. Rafael Lopez figures to take over at catcher in his absence, with Ohlman, who was batting .222/.343/.418 at Triple-A Buffalo, also helping out. Martin joins two other catchers, Miguel Montero and Luke Maile, on the DL.
The 32-year-old Coghlan signed a minor-league deal with the Blue Jays in April after the Phillies released him. He batted .200/.299/.267 in brief duty with the Blue Jays before hitting the DL with a wrist injury. He was in the midst of a rehab assignment with Class A+ Dunedin.
The 28-year-old Smith has posted a 4.26 ERA, 7.1 K/9 and 1.1 BB/9 in 25 1/3 innings of relief for Buffalo this season. He made his big-league debut earlier this season, pitching five innings and allowing three runs.
The Jays signed the 26-year-old Rowley as a minor-league free agent out of West Point in 2013. After missing two years to a military assignment, he’s moved through the minors quickly, and now he’s in the midst of a strong season, posting a 2.29 ERA, 7.6 K/9 and 2.0 BB/9 over 106 1/3 innings split between Buffalo and Double-A New Hampshire. He’s set to start today against the Pirates and will become the first West Point graduate to pitch in the Majors, as Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith notes.
The link is to the wrong Chris Smith
I like the fact that the Jays are trying lots of players at the MLB level. I don’t like the fact that most of these players are fringe major leaguers at best. I am looking for a good off season of trades for the Jays or next year will be more of the same.
The first move is to send Refsnyder down to AAA. This guy cannot play well at the MLB level. The Yankees knew it. Another prospect from the Yankees hype machine.
Then let’s ramp up the trading scenarios: too many first base types on this club: Pearce, Morales, Smoak, Bautitsa, Tulowotski. trade whoever for as best return as they can get, hopefully some good starting pitching prospects. Anyone is tradeable except Osuna, Stroman and Pillar.
If Atkins can’t get it done this summer, then hire someone else to do it. This team will not compete next year as built with the current core. I suggest we protest at the ticket window and not buy tickets to the games. As one blogger/writer put it, “they won’t do anything important if the seats are full”
Good GM’s like a Drombroski or Cashman could get this rebuild done quickly.
Why is Pillar untradeable? He’s a black hole at the plate.
Technically I would have to agree with you that Pillar is not untradeable. I like him for elite defence, 100% high motor on every play offence or defense, never takes a night off, his numbers are okay at the plate, currently battling 244, 12/28 OPS+80, war 2.4, down from last year but it will improve even double in the years to come. He is low cost. He is a keeper.
Martin’s career hit the skids fast. At least he got paid before he tanked.
Many Pirate fans whine when the team opted not to pay huge bucks to Martin whe his contract ran out. He was having trouble staying healthy when he was still in Pittsburgh. If the Pirates would have over spent on Martin, I could just imagine what the crying would be about wasting so many millions on him.
Gozurman….of course, now we have another catcher who can’t stay healthy…but he IS cheaper! 🙂
Martin can still be a very good catcher. His game calling, framing, defensive skills including blocking and hand/eye coordination are amongst the best in the league. But he cannot carry the heavy load as he has been. He needs to play much less games behind the plate. He is an amazing athlete as well. He can play an average 2nd or 3rd base if needed. His playoff career appearance frequency is nothing less than remarkable. Some team will trade for this guy if the Jays eat a signifcant portion of the contract. The Jay’s GM needs to be creative.
He’s a 34 year old catcher. He’s had a pretty terrific career considering the wear and tear behind the plate. The lesson is to avoid long commitments to over-30 catchers, but with the bad talent at the position that can be tricky.
He’s a league average bat which is above average for catchers. And still has great defense. I’m fine with paying him as long as he stays valuable to the team
I am a fatty mama
I would trade you