Blue Jays activate Shoemaker, place Merryweather on injured list

The Toronto Blue Jays have activated RHP Matt Shoemaker and he will start on Monday against the New York Yankees. Photo: Toronto Blue Jays/Twitter

September 21, 2020

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

Ahead of a key three-game series against the Bronx Bombers in Buffalo, the Toronto Blue Jays have activated RHP Matt Shoemaker off the 10-day injured list while subsequently placing RHP Julian Merryweather on the 10-day IL with elbow tendinitis.

Over five starts prior to being sidelined with a lat strain in August, Shoemaker has gone 1-4 with an ERA of 4.91 throughout 25 1/3 innings. The product of Wyandotte, Mich., has struck out 25 batters over that stretch, allowing 19 hits with eight of those leaving the yard.

In parts of eight seasons at the MLB level, Shoemaker has owns a K/9 of 8.1 to go alongside an overall WHIP of 1.180 over 111 appearances, all but eight of which have come as a starter.

Having only made his MLB debut on August 20, Merryweather appeared in eight big league games prior to Monday's move. Through 13 innings, the 6-foot-4 California native has struck out 15 of the 55 batters he's faced, issuing six walks and not allowing a home run.

With his IL stint retroactive to September 18, Merryweather will be eligible to return to Toronto's active roster by the time postseason action begins next week.

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