Blue Jays call up Pannone, demote Hauschild

Left-hander Thomas Pannone (above) has been called up by the Toronto Blue Jays. Photo Credit: Kim Klement, USA Today Sports

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

The Toronto Blue Jays have called up left-hander Thomas Pannone and have sent right-hander Mike Hauschild down to the triple-A Buffalo Bisons.

Heading into the season, Pannone, 24, was ranked as one of the club's top pitching prospects, but he was handed an 80-game suspension in March for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.

The 6-foot, 190-pound southpaw has struggled to an 0-4 record and a 5.36 ERA in nine appearances across three minor league levels (class-A Advanced, double-A and triple-A) since returning from his suspension.

Pannone was acquired along with infield prospect Samad Taylor from the Cleveland Indians at the 2017 trade deadline in exchange for reliever Joe Smith.

Hauschild made two appearances for the Blue Jays after he was signed as a free agent on August 2 following his release by the Houston Astros. On the same day he was signed, the 6-foot-3 right-hander proceeded to toss six shutout innings in relief to record his first major league win against the Seattle Mariners.

The 28-year-old righty didn't fare nearly as well in his start last night when he allowed four runs in 2 1/3 innings to the first-place Boston Red Sox. The Blue Jays lost the game 10-5.

Originally selected in the 33rd round by Houston Astros in the 2012 MLB draft, Hauschild has pitched in parts of seven minor league seasons in the Astros organization. He also made four big league relief appearances for the Rangers last season.