Blue Jays activate Phelps, send down Shafer

The Toronto Blue Jays have activated veteran reliever David Phelps who missed all of last season due to Tommy John surgery. Photo: Kim Klement/USA Today.

June 17, 2019

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

TORONTO -- There will be a new arm in the bullpen when Charlie Montoyo's 26-45 Toronto Blue Jays kick off a quick four-game home stand against the Angels on Monday as former divisional rival David Phelps has been activated off the 60-day injured list.

In a corresponding move, RHP Justin Shafer was sent back down to triple-A Buffalo for the third time in 2019.

Phelps, 32, is a veteran of six MLB campaigns and joins Toronto having pitched to a cumulative ERA of 3.89 with 520 strikeouts against 216 walks spread out across 228 appearances since breaking in with the New York Yankees back in 2012.

After missing all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Phelps’ next appearance will be his first since August 30, 2017. In his last 118 appearances dating back to the the beginning of the 2016 season, Phelps has allowed only 46 runs on 112 hits through 142 1/3 innings.

In four minor league tuneups prior to his activation on Monday, the 6-foot-3 right-handed product of St. Louis, Mo., allowed just three hits and struck out four batters over 3 1/3nnings between class-A Advanced Dunedin and triple-A Buffalo.

To make room for Phelps on the Blue Jays’ 40-man roster, RHP Elvis Luciano (elbow strain) was shifted to the 60-day IL.

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