Toronto Blue Jays address pitching depth with two free-agent signings
Toronto Blue Jays management was well aware of the fact that something needed to be done concerning their starting rotation.
On paper, the Jays opened the season with a reasonable five-man rotation that featured Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, Bowden Francis, and Max Scherzer. Unfortunately, that group hasn’t performed as hoped.
Scherzer has pitched just three innings due to injury, while Gausman and Francis have both struggled with consistency. Bassitt has been the best of the bunch, while Berrios has been plenty better as of late. Even if all four had been lights out to this point, however, that still doesn’t address the vacant fifth spot that has been left open due to Scherzer’s injury.
The Jays have tried some internal solutions to fill the gap, but they haven’t worked out. Now, just a day after Ross Atkins told reporters would be looking to find solutions via free agency, it was announced that the Blue Jays have signed Spencer Turnbull and Jose Urena to major-league deals.
Turnbull, 32, appeared in 17 games (seven starts) with the Philadelphia Phillies, posting a 2.65 ERA with 58 strikeouts. The right-hander has made 67 starts throughout his six-year MLB career, posting an ERA of 4.26 over that span.
Urena, 33, recently elected free agency after being designated for assignment by the New York Mets. Also a right-hander, he appeared in 33 games (nine starts) with the Texas Rangers in 2024, posting a 3.80 ERA. He’s made 152 big-league starts, posting a 4.80 ERA.
After a relatively solid 12-8 start to the season, the Jays have been fighting it as of late, going 4-6 over their last 10 outings. They currently sit third in the AL-East with a 16-17 record, which, despite being rather underwhelming, is just three wins shy of the New York Yankees for the division lead.
As for Scherzer, an exact timeline for a return has yet to be mapped out. He was able to throw another bullpen session on Wednesday, though manager John Schneider didn’t have a whole lot comment other than mentioning that the 40-year-old is showing signs of improvement.
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