The Blue Jays have despatched right-hander Paolo Espino outright to Triple-A Buffalo, in line with his transactions tracker at MLB.com. He had been designated for project a couple of days in the past when the membership claimed righty Dillon Tate off waivers. Espino has the suitable to elect free company nevertheless it’s not but clear if he’s chosen to take action.
Espino, 37, signed a minor league take care of the Jays within the winter. He was added to the roster a few week into the season and made two lengthy reduction appearances at the moment. The primary one was fairly good, as he tossed two scoreless innings, however the second noticed him permit 4 earned runs in 2 2/3.
He was optioned to Buffalo after that and wasn’t recalled till months later. He made a spot begin on July 31 simply after the Jays had traded Yusei Kikuchi, Yimi GarcĂa, Nate Pearson and Trevor Richards, leaving the pitching employees in a state of flux. Espino ate 4 innings in that spot begin but additionally allowed 4 earned runs, rising his season-long ERA to eight.31 earlier than getting optioned again to Buffalo once more.
The Jays have since bolstered their pitching employees by letting Bowden Francis grasp a rotation spot and have crammed their bullpen by way of numerous waiver claims and small trades. With expanded September rosters, the percentages of them needing a spot starter equivalent to Espino are a bit decrease. Additionally they have Jake Bloss, a part of their Kikuchi return, within the Buffalo rotation now.
All these components led to Espino getting nudged off the roster and it’s not too shocking that he didn’t get claimed by one other membership. He has been a strong innings eater prior to now, throwing over 100 innings in each 2022 and 2023 whereas suiting up for the Nationals in a swing function. However given his age and 5.18 ERA in Triple-A this 12 months, there wouldn’t be an excessive amount of use for him proper now. Golf equipment in rivalry can have set their sights increased whereas the others can be utilizing the subsequent few weeks to guage youthful arms.
