Title: Blue Jays Shuffle Bullpen: Sandlin Injury Benchmarks Move for Tate, Schultz
Blue Jays Place Nick Sandlin on IL, Recall Dillon Tate, Select Paxton Schultz
TORONTO — The Blue Jays made waves this morning with a series of roster moves, topped by placing right-hander Nick Sandlin on the 15-day injured list due to a right lat strain. To fill Sandlin’s void, Toronto recalled right-hander Dillon Tate and selected the contract of Paxton Schultz, designating right-hander Jacob Barnes for assignment to make room.
Sandlin’s Strain: A Blip or a Concern?
Sandlin, 28, has been a reliable middle reliever for the Blue Jays since arriving via trade. This season, he sported a solid 2.25 ERA and 2.77 FIP across ten appearances despite carrying a hefty 11.4% walk rate throughout his career. His injury, while unfortunate, is not expected to keep him out too long.
Manager John Schneider revealed that Sandlin’s lat issue has been bothering him for some time. They chose to be proactive, hoping to prevent a larger issue down the line. Sandlin will be sidelined for at least a few days before reevaluation, with a potential two-week absence on the horizon.
Welcome Back, Dillon Tate
Dillon Tate is no stranger to the Blue Jays, having joined them from the Orioles via waivers in 2022. The club re-signed him to a major league deal in March after non-tendering him over the offseason. Tate, 28, has been a steady middle reliever, posting a 3.89 ERA and a near-matching 3.88 FIP since the start of the 2021 season.
Paxton Schultz: New Blood in the Bullpen
Paxton Schultz, a 14th-round pick by the Brewers in 2019, has spent most of his professional career as a starting pitcher in the Blue Jays organization. Last year, Toronto brass moved him to the bullpen, where he’s thrived. In 8â…” frames of multi-inning relief work this season with Triple-A Buffalo, Schultz has a sparkling 2.08 ERA and an impressive 27.2% strikeout rate.
Jacob Barnes Farewell
Jacob Barnes, a veteran in his tenth major league season, signed a minor league deal with the Blue Jays in February. His tenure, however, was short-lived. In eight innings of work with the club, Barnes surrendered nine runs (eight earned) on ten hits and three walks while striking out five. The Jays have a week to either trade Barnes or pass him through waivers before he can elect free agency.
Impact on Blue Jays Bullpen
Both Sandlin and newly departed Jeff Hoffman have been crucial to the Blue Jays’ early success. Their absence leaves a void, but Tate and Schultz aim to fill it. The Blue Jays will have to rely on their depth in the bullpen to maintain their winning ways.
Did you know?
- Nick Sandlin’s career walk rate of 11.4% is the highest among Blue Jays relievers with at least 50 innings pitched (min. 2 IP/team game).
- Paxton Schultz struck out an impressive 31.8% of batters with Triple-A Buffalo in 2022.
Pro tip
- Keep an eye on Paxton Schultz’s progress as he transitions to the big leagues. His strikeout prowess could make him a valuable asset to the Blue Jays’ bullpen.
Join the conversation
- How do you think the Blue Jays’ bullpen will fare given Sandlin’s injury? Share your thoughts in the comments!
This move sees the Blue Jays shuffling their bullpen, but their overall strength remains intact. With Tate and Schultz stepping up, fans can expect a robust relief corps to support Toronto’s championship aspirations.