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In a move that surprised everyone--including the player at the centre of the move--the Blue Jays optioned reliever Steve Delabar early Thursday morning. He was scheduled to pitch in today's game, but was sent to minor league camp instead.
Obviously, Delabar is unhappy about the demotion:
#Bluejays didn't tell Delabar why he'd been sent down, didn't give him anything to work on. Said it has to be about options. #Jays
— Mike Wilner (@Wilnerness590) March 26, 2015
Joe Siddall talked about how he didn't look sharp this spring, even if the results weren't bad. Delabar has pitched 6 innings, allowed 5 hits, 2 earned, a home run, a walk and had 9 strikeouts.
Wilner also had this:
#Bluejays didn't tell Delabar why he'd been sent down, didn't give him anything to work on. Said it has to be about options. #Jays
— Mike Wilner (@Wilnerness590) March 26, 2015
I'll admit I feel sorry for the guy, but that's baseball. Delabar wasn't good last year, 6 spring innings doesn't erase that. Also it sounds like the Jays want to have guys that can go more than one inning in the pen. With Sanchez and Norris both making the rotation, there will likely be times when we'll need 2 or 3 innings out of a reliever.
It is possible that Steve could ask for his release from the team, but I'm sure he'll take a couple of days to think about it.
With this news, it seems certain that Miguel Castro will make the team. And Roberto Osuna has a much better chance to as well, unless the team decides to go with Kyle Drabek, since he is out of options. I've given into the idea that Castro will be on the team, but I really hate the idea of Osuna jumping up from A ball after only pitching 23 innings last year. He needs a season of building up his arm strength.
More intrigue:
Wilner on the radio: Gibbons is really upset about the Delabar demotion. Seems like he lost a battle.
— BVH (@BVHJays) March 26, 2015
The Jays also announced that Maicer Izturis and Michael Saunders will start the season on the DL. That pretty much assures Devon Travis of getting the second baseman job.