Blue Jays call up Merryweather, option Waguespack

The Toronto Blue Jays have called up RHP Julian Merryweather. Photo: Toronto Blue Jays/Twitter

August 18, 2020

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

Five games into a stretch that will see the Toronto Blue Jays play 29 consecutive times without benefit of an off-day, the team formally recalled RHP Julian Merryweather from the club's taxi squad on Tuesday.

In a corresponding move, RHP Jacob Waguespack has been optioned to the team's alternate training site and subsequently added to Toronto's taxi squad.

Acquired as a player to be named later in the deal that sent former American League MVP Josh Donaldson to the Cleveland Indians, Merryweather receives his first big league promotion after posting an overall ERA of 4.72 across 85 minor appearances, 67 of which have come as a starter.

Injuris, including Tommy John surgery in 2018, have limited the 6-foot-4 product of Berkley, Calif., to just eight affiliated appearances since turning in an ERA of 5.32 in 25 games split between double-A Akron and triple-A Columbus in 2017.

His latest assignment saw the now 28-year-old strike out eight of the 23 batters he faced as a member of the Scottsdale Scorpions last fall, walking a pair and allowing three earned runs on four hits across six innings.

Including Sunday's rain-induced doubleheader, the Blue Jays bullpen has been accountable for 18 of the club's last 36 innings pitched. If they are going to remain competitive down the stretch, additional length from the club's bullpen will be key.

Through nine big-league innings in 2020, Waguespack has struck out 11 batters while walking seven and allowing four earned runs on 11 hits.

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