Tuesday Bantering: J.P. Howell to DL, Jeff Beliveau recalled

The Blue Jays placed J.P. Howell on the 10-day disabled list with left shoulder tightness yesterday, the same injury that kept him sidelined until late April. In a corresponding move, reliever Jeff Beliveau has been recalled from triple-A Buffalo.

Howell, in just over eight innings of work this season, has allowed eight earned runs, posting an ERA of 8.31. He’s allowed one home run, a walk-off grand slam to Matt Carpenter near the end of April, but has walked seven and struck out five. Howell hasn’t been the left-handed reliever that the Blue Jays were expecting.

Beliveau, another left-handed reliever, was signed to a minor-league deal by the Blue Jays this offseason. Over 32 innings with the Bisons, Beliveau has struck out 43 batters and walked 14 while posting an ERA of 3.09. He hasn’t appeared at the major-league level since 2015.

Aaron Sanchez played catch on flat ground in Oakland yesterday, the latest progression in his recovery from a fingernail split and blister on his right middle finger. Per Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com, Sanchez is expected to have a bullpen session soon, before embarking on a rehab assignment. Chisholm gave no indication of when Sanchez may make his return to the 25-man roster.

You’re perfect, Joe Biagini. Never change.

In an interview with Matthew Stucko of YES Network, Biagini was his usual self. “One piece of advice: Don’t take advice from a baseball player.” You can watch the full eight-minute video here.

Eduardo Rodriguez, a Red Sox starter, is expected to miss three to four weeks with a knee injury, Evan Drellich of CSN New England reports. Although surgery is not necessary for the 24-year-old, Dr. James Andrews recommended Rodriguez rest until he has made a full recovery.

As yet another painful blow to an already struggling Boston rotation, the Red Sox will be missing out on a pitcher who has thrown 61 innings for them this season. In 10 starts this season, he has a 3.54 ERA with 65 strikeouts and 21 walks.

The Blue Jays lost 5-3 to the Oakland Athletics early this morning, capitalizing off of J.A. Happ and a tired Toronto lineup. With a start time of 10:05 ET, Happ allowed five earned runs in just over five innings pitched, throwing 98 pitches and walking three. The Athletics scored all five of their runs via Ryan Healy, who hit two home runs in the win.

Toronto plays against the Athletics again today, with another late-night start of 10:05 ET. Marco Estrada will pitch for the Blue Jays, while Jesse Hahn starts for Oakland. You can watch the game on Sportsnet-1 or listen to it on Sportsnet 590.

Billy Witz from the New York Times wrote an article yesterday on the change Kevin Pillar is bringing to the LGTBQ community. The piece provides great insight on the impact his use of a homophobic slur had — and the impact his actions are having now.

Follow Mark on Twitter: @MarkColley.