Blue Jays activate Stripling, recall Kay, Adams, place Kirk, Milone, Castro on IL

Left-hander Anthony Kay was recalled from the Toronto Blue Jays’ alternate site on Sunday as part of a series of roster moves.

May 2, 2021

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

The Toronto Blue Jays completed a series of roster moves on Sunday, activating RHP Ross Stripling (forearm strain) from the injured list while also recalling LHP Anthony Kay and C Riley Adams from the club’s alternate training site.

In corresponding transactions, C Alejandro Kirk (flexor strain), LHP Tommy Milone (shoulder inflammation) and RHP Anthony Castro (forearm tightness) were placed on the 10-day injured list.

Starting Sunday’s series finale vs. the Braves, Stripling will take the mound for the first time since getting a no decision against the Los Angeles Angels on April 8. The 6-foot-3 product of Southlake, Tex., has posted an ERA of 6.75 with 23 strikeouts and 10 walks since joining the Blue Jays at the trade deadline in 2020.

Kay rejoins the team having allowed four earned runs on six hits across 3 1/3 innings this season. With Toronto using seven relievers in Saturday’s win over Atlanta, Kay’s addition provides the Blue Jays with some valuable length out of the bullpen.

A third-round draft pick of the Blue Jays in 2017, Adams, 24, has slashed .265/.363/.410 with 85 extra-base hits over his 251 professional contests. His last full-season action came in 2019, splitting time between class-A Advanced Dunedin and double-A New Hampshire.

Kirk lands on the IL after picking up nine hits over his 40 at-bats in 2021. In his last 10 games, the 22-year-old product of Tijuana, Mex., had slashed .333/.429/.625 with three extra-base hits and more walks than strikeouts.

In the midst of his first extended run at the big league level, Castro had fired 7 1/3 innings of scoreless ball ahead of Sunday’s transaction, striking out nine and walking only a single batter.

Through six appearances, Milone has allowed 10 earned runs on as many hits. The veteran soft-tossing southpaw has served up three home runs in 14 innings, walking three and striking out 17 batters.

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