Notes: Giles activated; Kirk promoted to bigs
The Blue Jays made a series of roster moves prior to Friday’s opener against the Mets, activating star closer Ken Giles and selecting top catching prospect Alejandro Kirk to their active roster.
Giles’ return gives the Blue Jays’ bullpen a major boost, and he’s expected to see some lower-leverage innings before moving back into that ninth-inning role. The Kirk decision is particularly interesting, though, as a win-now move involving an advanced bat who still hasn’t appeared above the Class A Advanced level.
In corresponding moves, the Blue Jays designated catcher Caleb Joseph and outfielder Billy McKinney for assignment. Right-hander Jacob Waguespack was also added to the roster, with Sean Reid-Foley being optioned back to the alternate training site in Rochester, N.Y.
This leaves Kirk as the club’s No. 2 catcher with Joseph leaving the roster and Reese McGuire still at the alternate training site after struggling mightily at the plate early on. Listed at 5-foot-8, 265 pounds, Kirk faced questions about his body coming up as a prospect, but his bat speaks much louder. With one of the better plate approaches and contact tools in the organization, Kirk hit .290 with a .403 on-base percentage and a .868 OPS between Class A and Class A Advanced in 2019.
Kirk will be given his chance behind the plate when Danny Jansen needs a day off, but it won’t be surprising to see him at designated hitter, either, especially with the injuries to Teoscar Hernández and Rowdy Tellez. He’s also an ideal pinch-hit option off the bench in many situations given his ability to put the ball in play and avoid strikeouts.
On the Giles front, manager Charlie Montoyo said earlier in the week that he’ll be eased back in to that closer’s role. Getting him back in any capacity is fantastic news for the Blue Jays, though, especially given the obvious worry after he left the mound in the first series of the season against the Rays after losing the zone and looking very uncomfortable.
Montoyo found that soft spot in Friday's 18-1 loss to the Mets, getting Giles some work in the eight inning. It was a rough start, as Giles allowed a deep home run to center field on the first pitch he threw, but he settled down from there. The right-hander averaged 95.2 mph on his fastball, which averaged 96.9 mph in 2019, though that should creep back up as he gets comfortable. He also went to his slider often and produced some swings and misses, which will be critical if he doesn't have the top end of his fastball velocity right out of the gate.
Toronto’s bullpen has filled in admirably, with Anthony Bass, Jordan Romano, A.J. Cole and Rafael Dolis all recording saves in Giles’ absence. There’s no substitute for an elite closer, though, and if Giles can be anything near his 1.87 ERA and high strikeout rate from 2019, that’s what he’ll be.
The Pearson variable
The return of No. 1 prospect Nate Pearson from right elbow tightness could give the bullpen another Giles-like boost if he’s able to work his way back. At this point, a multi-inning role like you’ve seen from Thomas Hatch could be the most likely landing spot.
“The downside would be that we’re shifting his role, we’re shifting his usage and it is a different routine,” general manager Ross Atkins said Friday. “We’ll have to factor that in, but that’s something that’s been done before not only this year, but historically over the game. Guys that are still transitioning to the big leagues being used in different roles, David Price is a great example of that.”
Pearson has been “progressing well” and throwing bullpen sessions, Atkins said, with live action against hitters being the next step. At some point, he could relocate to the alternate training site to get that work in.
Other injury updates
• Bo Bichette played seven innings at shortstop Friday in an intrasquad game at the club’s alternate training site. The next decision will be made “based on how he’s reacting to each day’s workload and how soon he will be able to make an impact on the team,” Atkins said.
• Hernández, who’s dealing with a mild oblique strain, has “recovered exceptionally well and seems to be bouncing back quickly,” Atkins said. He was scheduled to do rotational work, which is a critical step.
• Tellez’s right knee strain is to a tendon in the knee, but the Blue Jays still aren’t ruling him out for the season or the playoffs. Atkins says the Blue Jays will continue to monitor him from day to day, and they expect to have more information when the inflammation in the area subsides.
• Matt Shoemaker (right shoulder inflammation) could be used in a bulk role if he’s able to return, Atkins said.
• Romano’s injury to his right middle finger is a pulley strain, Atkins said, which will be familiar to some Blue Jays fans after Aaron Sanchez dealt with one in late 2017. The club is still hoping to have him return this season.