Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen has been placed on the disabled list, with catcher Erik Kratz being promoted to take his place.
Before the season even starts, a second Blue Jay pitcher has found his way to the disabled list. Right-handed closer Casey Janssen will start the season on the sidelines due to a back/abdominal strain. The eight-man bullpen doesn't even last to opening day as catcher Erik Kratz has been promoted to take the empty roster spot:
Janssen to the DL. Kratz promoted from Triple-A. #BlueJays
— Gregor Chisholm (@gregorMLB) March 30, 2014Janssen's 15-day DL stint has been backdated to March 29, which is the last time he appeared in a big-league spring training game. #BlueJays
— Gregor Chisholm (@gregorMLB) March 30, 2014As someone who is on #teamSantos, the bright spot is that the oft-injured former White Sox closer Sergio Santos will have an opportunity to get a grip on the ninth inning role and maybe never give it back. On the flip side the Blue Jays now have three catchers and I have no idea what the team is doing.
Instead of Kratz, I would have promoted Anthony Gose or Munenori Kawasaki or maybe another pitcher if they really wanted an eight-man bullpen. Other than adding a right-handed bat, the bench has not become much more flexible unless Bud Selig decides that two catchers are now needed in the field of play to increase umpire safety.
Nothing gets by good ole' Minor Leaguer:
I guess if the Blue Jays had known Janssen had to go on the DL they wouldn't have outrighted Tuiasosopo so quickly.
Thankfully the bullpen is one of the team's strengths and this loss should not impact the team too greatly. There's a few dependable relievers that could help fill the hole left by Janssen without too much of a drop off.
As an aside how does Brett Lawrie stay so calm at the plate after downing energy drinks. I just had one for the first time in a while and I'm ready to write a eight page essay on Sergio Santos while running down the street. Anyway, who would you have called up from Buffalo?