TORONTO -- The Blue Jays officially completed the Josh Donaldson trade on Friday morning by acquiring right-hander Julian Merryweather from the Indians as the player to be named later.
Merryweather was the pitcher multiple reports previously suggested Toronto would be acquiring. Cleveland could not officially include him in the Aug. 31 deal with Toronto because Merryweather was injured and not eligible to clear waivers.
Merryweather, who will turn 27 on Oct. 14, missed all of 2018 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in the spring, but he is expected to make a full recovery for '19. Merryweather went 7-9 with a 5.32 ERA in 25 combined starts at Double-A and Triple-A during his most recent full season in '17.
Infielder Jon Berti was designated for assignment to make room on Toronto's 40-man roster. Merryweather is expected to factor into the Blue Jays' plans for the rotation at some point next season, and he could compete for a job out of Spring Training if he is deemed healthy and ready to go after his lengthy recovery from surgery.