Blue Jays call up Smith, activate Mayza, designate Dolis

The Toronto Blue Jays have recalled INF Kevin Smith from triple-A Buffalo as part of a series of moves on Wednesday. Photo: Toronto Blue Jays/Twitter

August 18, 2021

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

The Toronto Blue Jays completed a series of roster moves prior to Wednesday's game against the Washington Nationals, promoting INF Kevin Smith from triple-A Buffalo and reinstating LHP Tim Mayza (left elbow inflammation) off of the 10-day injured list.

In pair of corresponding transactions, RHP Alek Manoah was placed on the bereavement list and RHP Rafael Dolis was designated for assignment.

Through 82 games with the Bisons in 2021, Smith, 25, has slashed .286/.371/.576 with 46 extra-base hits and 53 runs. In parts of four minor league seasons dating back to his professional debut with Bluefield in 2017, the right-handed swinging product of East Greenbush, N.Y. has amassed an OPS of .818 while stealing 65 bases through 80 combined attempts.

Mayza rejoins the club having accounted for an ERA of 3.75 with 36 strikeouts against only nine walks through an even 36 big league innings this season. He now joins Kirby Snead, Tayler Saucedo, and Brad Hand as one of Toronto's four left-handed relievers.

Dolis exits the roster after posting a cumulative WHIP of 1.750 in 39 appearances this season. Despite posting impressive numbers for the Blue Jays last year, the 33-year-old product of La Romano, D.R. failed to establish any consistency in his second season with the club and departs having allowed the third-highest run total (20) among all Toronto relievers in 2021.

Despite allowing a career-high seven runs in Tuesday's loss to the Nats, Manoah has impressed in his first stint at the big league level. As of Wednesday, the 23-year-old owns the ninth-highest strikeout total (73) among all American League rookie starters.

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