The Blue Jays have activated reliever J.P. Howell from the disabled list and selected the contract of lefty Brett Oberholtzer from the Bisons in order to replenish their roster after trading Francisco Liriano and Joe Smith at the non-waiver deadline.
Howell, who like Smith signed a $3-million one-year deal with Toronto, has only pitched in 8.2 innings for the Blue Jays, giving up 12 hits and 7 walks, leading to 8 earned runs. His last three outings came in blowouts. He has been on the DL with a shoulder ailment twice this year, the latest stint starting in early June. Howell had a couple of forgettable outings with the Bisons in his rehab stint, but has put up zeros in his last four appearances.
Oberholtzer signed with the Blue Jays as a minor league free agent last offseason and has spent all year with triple-A Buffalo in a starting role. Over 18 starts, he averaged 5-2/3 innings and recorded a 4.48 ERA, walking 33 while striking out 59. His season started off well, giving up before veering off the track in mid-June when he had a few bad starts that factored in to his slightly inflated ERA, but he seemed to have righted himself in his latest four outings. Toronto will be Oberholtzer's fourth major league team after time with the Astros, Phillies, and Angels. He is a candidate to replace Liriano’s spot in the rotation.
The newly acquired Nori Aoki is expected to report to the Blue Jays on Tuesday, so another roster move will have to be made tomorrow to make room.
John Gibbons says #BlueJays activating JP Howell, adding Brett Oberholtzer to roster tonight. Aoki expected tomorrow, move TBD
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) July 31, 2017
In other news, Troy Tulowitzki is now in a cast after suffering an ankle injury last week—it appears that he is likely done for the season. He is owed $20 million for the next two seasons, $14 million in 2020, and a $4 million buyout on a $15 million option in 2021.
Gibbons tells us Tulowitzki has a cast on his right foot. Doesn't know if he'll see him on the field again before season ends #BlueJays
— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) July 31, 2017
Tonight’s lineup against the White Sox features Ryan Goins at shortstop and Darwin Barney at second base.
We still have a game to play! Here is tonight's lineup pres. by @MajesticOnField for the opener in Chicago. https://t.co/ANNQWLQyO2 pic.twitter.com/GeJx0N0AL0
— Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 31, 2017