:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57493323/usa_today_9886978.0.jpg)
The Blue Jays have picked up right-handed pitcher Taylor Guerrieri off waivers from the Rays.
Guerrieri was a top prospect a few years ago. He was #62 (in 2013) and #90 (in 2012) on Baseball America’s top 100 prospects list.
Guerrieri will be 25 on December 1st, so he’s no longer a prospect. He missed most of the 2017 season with arm issues, making just 2 Triple A starts. Back in 2013 he had Tommy John surgery, and he had a 50-game suspension for ‘using a substance of abuse’ (so not PED) in 2013. He’s apparently healthy now and will be ready for spring training.
He has a low-90’s fastball and a curve and a change. In 2016 he was 12-6 with a 3.76 ERA in Double A.
He’s worth a waiver pickup. He might be healthy for a season and be an interesting player, perhaps battling for the 5th starter job, or a spot in the bullpen. I’m interested in seeing him this spring.
The club also made some room on the 40-man roster. Leonel Campos, Taylor Cole, Rafael Lopez and Luis Santos have all been outrighted. I don’t know that there are any surprises there. Campos had 13.2 good innings with us this year, with a 2.63 ERA, and a 1.87 ERA in 33 innings at Buffalo. I kind of liked Lopez’s bat, but we have to find someone better for our backup catcher job.