The Toronto Blue Jays have outrighted pitcher to their Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons, as reported by Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca on Wednesday. This move comes after Espino was previously removed from the Blue Jays’ 40-man roster earlier in the week. After clearing waivers, he has decided to remain with the organization and continue his season with Buffalo.
Espino, a versatile pitcher known for his ability to swing between starting and relieving, has had a challenging 2024 season at the Triple-A level. Over the course of 73 innings with Buffalo, he has posted a 5.18 ERA, which reflects some struggles in his performance. Despite this, the Blue Jays still value his experience and versatility, keeping him within the system to provide depth for their pitching staff.
Being outrighted to Triple-A means that Espino is no longer on the Blue Jays’ 40-man roster, which is the group of players eligible to be called up to the major leagues or protected from the Rule 5 Draft. However, he remains available within the organization should the Blue Jays need him to step in at some point later in the season. His role as a swingman, capable of either starting games or pitching in relief, offers the Blue Jays flexibility in case of injuries or other roster needs.
For Espino, the decision to stay with the Blue Jays rather than seek opportunities elsewhere may be strategic, as he could still get another chance at the major league level depending on how the rest of the season unfolds. While his ERA suggests he’s had a rough season, he still brings experience and depth, something the Blue Jays may lean on if their pitching staff faces any issues down the stretch.
In summary, Paolo Espino’s outright to Triple-A Buffalo keeps him in the Blue Jays organization but removes him from their 40-man roster for now. Despite a tough 2024 season, his experience and ability to fill multiple pitching roles provide value to the team, making him a potential option for a call-up if necessary later in the season. For now, he will continue to work on improving his performance with Buffalo.
Leave a Reply