Jays promote Lopez, Barnes activated, Biagini demoted, Montero to DL

The Toronto Blue Jays called up catcher Raffy Lopez from triple-A Buffalo on Friday. Photo Credit: Jay Blue

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

After exiting Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Chicago White Sox with an apparent lower body injury, Blue Jays catcher Miguel Montero was formally placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right groin strain on Friday.

In a corresponding move, Raffy Lopez had his contract selected from triple-A Buffalo and has joined the team in Houston.

Lopez, 29, has slashed .293/.368/.551 with 12 home runs and 45 RBI over 59 games with the Bisons since earning a promotion from double-A New Hampshire earlier this season.

Signed to a minor league contract in February, the former 16th-round draft pick has appeared in 15 major league contests split between the Chicago Cubs and the Cincinnati Reds dating back to 2014, going 2-for-18 with a pair of walks and two strikeouts.

Through 13 games with Toronto since being acquired from Chicago for cash considerations or a player to be named later on July 3, Montero has but six walks and three hits through 42 plate appearances.

In addition to supplementing their roster with a backup catcher, the Blue Jays also reinstated right-hander Danny Barnes off the 10-day disabled list and optioned fellow right-handed reliever Joe Biagini down to Buffalo.

Barnes rejoins the club having recovered from a right shoulder impingement diagnosed on July 25. Through 37 games with the Blue Jays in 2017, the native of Manhasset, N.Y. owns an ERA of 3.09 with 47 strikeouts against only 14 walks.

With Biagini having appeared both in the bullpen and in the starting rotation this season, Friday's move came with the intentions of allowing the 27-year-old hurler to get stretched out so that he can assume the rotation vacancy left in the wake of Francisco Liriano's trade to the Astros at the deadline.

As a starter, the former Rule-5 selection has posted an overall record of 2-7 with an ERA of 5.60 over 54 2/3 innings.

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