Blue Jays call up Parmley, demote Valdez

The Toronto Blue Jays called up outfielder Ian Parmley from the triple-A Buffalo Bisons on Friday and sent right-hander Cesar Valdez back to the minors. Photo Credit: Lucas Sperduti

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

With Steve Pearce having to exit Wednesday’s game following a collision with the left field fence in Arlington, the Toronto Blue Jays have purchased the contract of outfielder Ian Parmley from the triple-A Buffalo Bisons.

Needing to make room on both their 25- and 40-man rosters, the club optioned RHP Cesar Valdez back to the 34-38 Bisons on Friday, while also formally moving Devon Travis (knee) to the 60-day disabled list.

Parmley, 27, has slashed .289/.332/.369 with 13 extra-base hits and 32 runs scored for the Bisons in 2017. Immediately slotted into Toronto’s lineup, the former seventh round draft pick (2012) will make his MLB debut in Kansas City on Friday.

Through parts of six minor league seasons, the native of Snohomish, Wash., has appeared in all three outfield positions while posting a cumulative OPS of .642 with 79 stolen bases in 98 attempts. 

Of the Blue Jays' 12 players currently on the disabled list, five are outfielders.

“We just needed another body,” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons told reporters ahead of Friday’s series opener at Kauffman Stadium. “A healthy guy with all the injuries we’ve had... Guys are banged up. We can’t play too short.”

Having hit a robust .529 (9/17) with three doubles and a home run since returning from the disabled list on June 16, Pearce remains on the active roster and is currently listed as day-to-day.

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