Blue Jays Moves: Travis down, Ramirez up

So here is a bit of a surprise for your Sunday morning.

The Blue Jays have optioned Devon Travis to Buffalo, calling up Carlos Ramirez. Gibby said yesterday that the bullpen is ‘running on fumes’, so a move to add to the relief corps isn’t a surprise. I figured they would choose someone who could go multiple innings, but I’m interested to see Carlos again.

Ramirez has pitched in 6 games in Buffalo, allowed 2 hits, 6 walks, 6 strikeouts 1 homer and 4 earned runs in 6 innings. He was terrific in 16.2 innings with the Jays last year, putting up a 2.70 ERA, with 6 hits (3 homers), 3 walks, 14 strikeouts. You know the story, he was a shortstop and switched over to pitching in 2014. He started last year in New Hampshire and finished it in Toronto.

Travis has had a tough start to the season, hitting just .148/.212/.246 in 66 at bats. He did hit a homer and a triple on Friday, and I thought maybe he was coming around. I’m sure this comes as a gut punch to Devon, but I hope he’ll go down and figure out his offensive troubles.

Lourdes Gurriel is hitting .227/.227/.364 in 22 at bats, and he hit his first major league homer yesterday. He is hitting the ball hard, but hasn’t been getting the results we’d like. His luck does have to turn around. I would like to see him take a walk at some point. I think his defense looks fine.

I thought Aledmys Diaz was a candidate to go down, he’s hitting .183/.237/.380. He started the season well, but hasn’t hit at all over the last few games. He is 0 for 10 in his last 4 games and hitting .121/.216/.121 over the past two weeks. But then Travis needs days off, while Diaz can play everyday.

The Jays have 8 games over the next 7 days, so they need their starters to start pitching deeper into games.

Josh Donaldson will be coming up soon. I’d imagine he’ll end up taking Carlos’s roster spot. Travis will have to stay down 10 day, unless there is an injury. I’m hoping when he comes back, his timing will be back.

It is going to be an interesting season.