The Blue Jays introduced that they’ve claimed outfielder Jordan Luplow off waivers from the Braves and optioned him to Triple-A. Luplow had been designated for project by Atlanta earlier this week when that membership chosen rookie pitcher Dylan Dodd. In a corresponding transfer, the Jays transferred lefty Hyun Jin Ryu to the 60-day injured listing.
Luplow, 29, has appeared previously six main league seasons, suiting up for Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Tampa Bay and Arizona. He’s largely taken on part-time duties, as his 85 video games and 261 plate appearances in 2019 are each profession highs. The correct-handed hitter is mostly considered as a short-side platoon possibility, typically placing up good numbers towards lefties. His profession batting line towards southpaws is .226/.337/.505 for a wRC+ of 125, in comparison with a .200/.288/.355 line and 76 wRC+ towards righties.
Final 12 months, Luplow didn’t hit nicely towards pitchers from both aspect, slashing .176/.274/.361 for the Diamondbacks. They may have retained him by way of arbitration, with MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projecting a $2MM wage, although the D’Backs opted to chop him from the roster on the finish of the season as an alternative. Atlanta picked him by signing him to a barely lower cost level of $1.4MM, however he didn’t make the membership’s Opening Day roster. That they had picked up a number of different candidates for part-time outfield roles, similar to Sam Hilliard, Kevin Pillar and Eli White. That nudged Luplow to the minors to start out the season and off the 40-man shortly thereafter.
For the Jays, they beforehand had a righty-heavy outfield however tipped the scales the opposite approach this offseason. Righties Teoscar Hernández and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. have been each traded away whereas lefties Daulton Varsho and Kevin Kiermaier have been introduced aboard and Nathan Lukes gained the bench outfield job out of camp. Luplow will head to Triple-A Buffalo for now however he might probably be recalled sooner or later to play matchups and take some at-bats towards powerful lefties.
He presently has between 4 and 5 years of MLB service time, which means the Jays might retain him for subsequent season by way of arbitration if he lasts the entire 12 months on the roster. He has only one possibility 12 months remaining, nevertheless, which means he’ll doubtless be out of choices subsequent 12 months. As soon as he spends 20 days within the minors, then 2023 will formally burn his final possibility 12 months.
As for Ryu, this switch comes as no shock as he’s recovering from Tommy John surgical procedure and is focusing on a return across the All-Star break. This transfer was an inevitable formality, with the Jays ready till they discovered a participant they appreciated on the waiver wire to make it.
