Blue Jays call up Borucki to make MLB debut, designate Urshela

The Toronto Blue Jays have recalled left-handed pitching prospect Ryan Borucki from triple-A Buffalo. He will make his major league debut on Tuesday. Photo Credit: Butch Dill, USA Today Sports

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

With both Jaime Garcia (left shoulder inflammation) and Aaron Sanchez (right index finger contusion) shelved due to injuries, the Toronto Blue Jays have dipped into their minor league reserve and promoted left-hander Ryan Borucki from triple-A Buffalo to start Tuesday’s tilt vs. the Astros in Houston.

In a corresponding move, INF Gio Urshela has been designated for assignment in order to clear a spot on Toronto's 40-man roster.

Ranked as the BlueJays No. 8 prospect by MLB Pipeline, Borucki has pitched to an ERA of 3.27 while notching 58 strikeouts and walking 28 batters through 13 starts with the Bisons in 2018.

The 24-year old product of Mundelein, Ill., features both a mid-90's four-seamer and a developing slider but predominately leans on a plus changeup that he throws with similar arm action to his fastball.

Coming off a complete game performance against the Pawtucket Red Sox (Boston's triple-A affiliate) on June 19, the 6-foot-4 southpaw has recorded an overall K/9 of 6.78 while limiting his opposition to a .218 batting average through 77 innings on the year.

Recently named the International League Pitcher of the Week for June 18-24, Borucki will be tested early as Houston checks into play on Tuesday having scored the most runs in the majors (412) and is currently tied with Boston for the highest cumulative team batting average (.264).

Through 19 games with Toronto, Ushela slashed .233/.283/.326 with a home run and three RBI.

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