Blue Jays activate Giles, call up Kirk

The Toronto Blue Jays activated closer Ken Giles as part of a series of roster moves on Friday.

September 11, 2020

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

The Toronto Blue Jays made a series of roster moves ahead of kicking off a three-game series against the New York Mets in Buffalo on Friday.

RHP Ken Giles has been activated off the 45-day injured list, and C Alejandro Kirk had his contract selected by the big league club. Both will be active for Friday night's tilt at Sahlen Field.

In a pair of corresponding moves, RHP Sean Reid-Foley has been optioned to the club's alternate training site in Rochester, and C Caleb Joseph was designated for assignment.

Giles pitched in just two games before landing on the IL with a strained flexor mass in his right elbow on July 27. In parts of three seasons with the Blue Jays, the 6-foot-3 product of Albuquerque, N.M., has pitched to an ERA of 2.66 with 108 strikeouts against only 25 walks. Over that 76 game stretch, the former seventh-round draft pick has converted 38 saves in 39 opportunities, posting an overall WHIP of 1.076 in 74 1/3 innings.

Kirk, 21, has slashed .315/.418/.500 throughout 151 minor league contests since making his professional debut in 2017. Having knocked 60 extra-base hits in 518 professional at-bats, the product of Tijuana, Mex., joins Toronto having never played above high A.

Reid-Foley has allowed a single earned run in five relief assignments on the season, striking out six and walking as many batters through 6 2/3 innings. Friday's move marks the fourth time he's been optioned in 2020.

After being on the club's taxi squad since Opening Day in Tampa, Joseph was added to the active roster last Sunday and recorded just one hit (a home run) in eight at-bats.

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