Blue Jays sign second-rounder Conine
Toronto agrees to terms with all picks from first 10 rounds; Stroman set to return Saturday
TORONTO -- The Blue Jays have officially signed all the players they selected in the first 10 rounds of the 2018 MLB Draft, after second-rounder Griffin Conine agreed to terms on Wednesday morning.
Toronto did not announce the financial terms, but according to MLB Pipeline's Jim Callis, Griffin will receive $1.35 million, which is the full slot value for the No. 52 overall pick. Griffin is a product of Duke University and the son of longtime Major Leaguer Jeff Conine.
• All Blue Jays 2018 Draft picks
Griffin was considered a possible first-round Draft pick by a lot of experts entering this season, but his stock dropped after a slow start to his college season. He bounced back late in the year, and he was considered one of the best pure power hitters in this year's class.
The 20-year-old hit .281 with 18 home runs and 52 RBIs in 224 at-bats for Duke in his junior season. Contact remains a concern after striking out 74 times, compared to 45 the previous year, but when he connects, the ball often travels a long way. Conine also possesses an above-average arm in right field. He will begin his Blue Jays tenure in the Gulf Coast League.
Toronto also officially agreed to terms with 18th-rounder Fitz Stadler (right-hander, Arizona State) and 33rd-rounder Matt Harris (right-hander Florida Atlantic) on Wednesday morning. The Blue Jays have now signed 29 of the 40 players they selected in the MLB Draft, including their top 15 picks.
Donaldson departs
Third baseman Josh Donaldson temporarily left the team on Wednesday afternoon to attend a funeral. Upon his return, Donaldson will continue to rehab from a sore left calf, but there is still no timetable for when he might be back in the Blue Jays' lineup. Donaldson has been out since May 28 because of the injury, and he will need to complete a brief rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo before rejoining the team.
Stroman cleared for Saturday
As expected, right-hander Marcus Stroman will be activated from the 10-day disabled list in time to start on Saturday against the Angels. Toronto previously announced that Stroman would be returning this weekend, but it had yet to confirm which day Stroman would start until Wednesday morning.
Stroman has been out since May 8 with a right shoulder injury and for what the Blue Jays described as a period of physical and mental rest. The 27-year-old recently completed a brief rehab assignment, which included a pair of simulated games and one start for Class A Advanced Dunedin.