Blue Jays release A.J. Jimenez

Blue Jays pitchers and catchers report tomorrow, but one catcher, who we expected to complete for the backup job behind Russell Martin, won’t be there.

A.J. Jimenez, who was DFAed back on February 9, was released by the team today. That leaves the Jays with 2 catchers on the 40-man: Martin and Juan Graterol. Non-roster spring invites are Reese McGuire, Alex Monsalve, Mike Ohlman and Jarrod Saltalamcchia.

It looks to me like the Jays are giving Salty the backup job and Graterol would be the choice to be called up if someone gets hurt. It is possible that McGuire will pass him by at some point this summer (as could Max Pentecost, if he can stay healthy).

A.J., at one time, was our ‘catcher of the future’ or at very least ‘our backup of the future’, but a series of injury shortened seasons cost him any chance. The most games he’s played in any of his 9 seasons in the minors, was 102, way back in 2011. Last year he played in 67 games, hitting just .241/.290/.377.

I’m sorry to see him go, I hope some team picks him up.