The Blue Jays announced that they’ve designated infielder Gio Urshela for assignment in order to clear space on the roster for left-hander Ryan Borucki, who has been recalled from Triple-A Buffalo and will start tonight’s game.
Urshela, 26, was acquired from the Indians back in early May and has received sparse playing time in the six weeks that have followed. Urshela has appeared in 19 games with the Jays but taken just 46 trips to the plate, hitting .233/.283/.326 in that time. That’s roughly in line with his career numbers to date: a .225/.274/.315 batting line in 499 plate appearances. Urshela grades out as an above-average third baseman, though Toronto has used him more at shortstop, where defensive metrics have been less favorable (in an admittedly negligible sample of 85 innings).
Toronto will have a week to either trade Urshela or place him on outright waivers in hopes of going unclaimed and subsequently being sent outright to Buffalo. Given his defensive reputation, it’s possible that Urshela would indeed be claimed by another club. However, he’s also out of minor league options, so any team claiming him will have to carry him on the MLB roster or try to once again run him through waivers in order to get him to Triple-A.
He’ll be in Columbus by Sunday.
Gio could be Michael Martinez 2.0, except that the original model is already in Columbus, isn’t he?
I believe MM is still on the mend.
Thankfully.
You’re right, he’s listed as being on Cleveland’s 60-day DL because he was placed there during spring training.
Hopefully…
I loved Gio, but didn’t love him on the Indians’ roster if that makes sense. He’s a great depth piece, so maybe he will be in Columbus.
Triple A Buffalo
What you said.
With their injuries and lack of production, Phillies?