Donn Roach claimed by Blue Jays, Michael Saunders moved to 60-day disabled list

The Blue Jays have claimed right-handed starter Donn Roach from the Cincinnati Reds and will be optioning him to triple-A Buffalo according to a Bisons press release. The Bisons have a week and a half remaining in their season.

To make room for him, outfielder Michael Saunders, who has been on the 15-day disabled list since May 9, was moved to the 60-day disabled list. The Blue Jays had already announced that the outfielder, who only played nine games this season, will be missing the remainder of the season to deal with his injured knee.

Roach is only 25 but will be joining what already is his fifth organization. He was drafted in the third round by the Angels, then was traded to the Padres along with Alexi Amarista in the Ernesto Frieri trade. Since last offseason, he has been claimed on waivers three times, first by the Cubs in November then the Reds in July, and now the Blue Jays. He made his major league debut as a reliever for the Padres 2014, making the Opening Day roster, and was used as a spot starter for one game for the Cubs this June.

He has spent the majority of this season in triple-A, starting in 22 games and recording a 3.50 ERA. He is a groundout pitcher, striking out just 9.5% of the batters he faces, but he has kept his walks to under 5% this season between the Cubs' and Reds' triple-A affiliates.

Roach was first added to the 40-man roster before the 2014 season so he will have one more option year remaining after this one.

Donn Roach's wife Brooke is now 29 weeks pregnant, so soon he can be known as "Papa Roach".