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Matt Boyd scratched from triple-A start likely for call-up to Blue Jays

By Minor Leaguer
Matt Boyd
Matt Boyd
Vincent Ethier, Getty Images

Left hander Matt Boyd was the Buffalo Bisons' scheduled starter for a 1 pm Thursday matinee against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, but was replaced last minute by Chad Jenkins. The move was first reported by Sportsnet's Jeff Blair and made official per a Buffalo Bisons press release.

Blue Jays prospect Matt Boyd deserves a closer look

 Ezra Jones of Minor League Ball profiles Blue Jays prospect Matt Boyd and his path up the system from Oregon State. Warning for those who get excited: there is a mention of Sandy Koufax in this piece.

The move makes it very likely that Boyd, 24, will be called up to make a start for the Blue Jays this weekend against the Rangers.

Boyd was the Blue Jays' sixth round pick in the 2013 draft from Oregon State University and has been a starter throughout his time in the minor leagues. This season, he recorded an impressive 1.10 ERA and 0.774 WHIP in double-A New Hampshire, which earned him a promotion to triple-A Buffalo for two starts. At both levels, he averaged a strikeout every four batters faced. He does tend to give up fly balls--according to Ezra Jones at Minor League Ball, some 40% of batted balls end up in the air.

There was some discussion about whether Boyd or Felix Doubront would be the best option for the start for Saturday's game, with Doubront being a known commodity as a below-average-but-probably-acceptable starting pitcher and Boyd being an unknown factor. Both would have needed to be added to the 40-man roster (the Blue Jays gained an open spot when Phil Coke declined his optional assignment) but Doubront has no more options remaining while Boyd can be sent back down to the minors without having to go through waivers.

UPDATE

Some words from John Lott, who I presume is in Buffalo:

Riiiiight... of course you don't.

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