Blue Jays demote Travis, call up Ramirez

Struggling Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis was sent down to triple-A Buffalo on Sunday. Photo Credit: Amanda Fewer

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

TORONTO -- In advance of an attempt to salvage the final contest of their three-game set against Texas on Sunday, the Toronto Blue Jays have shuffled the deck and dispatched infielder Devon Travis to triple-A Buffalo in exchange for right-handed reliever Carlos Ramirez.

Ramirez, 27, has pitched in five games with the Herd this season, allowing four earned runs on two hits while both walking and striking out six batters over five innings of work.

Having made his MLB debut as one of the Blue Jays' call-ups last September, the hard-throwing product of Santo Domingo, D.R. will add additional depth to a bullpen that has needed to support a starting rotation that is currently tied with Texas for the second most runs allowed in the American League (90).

Through 18 games prior to his demotion, Travis slashed .148/.212/.246 with three extra-base hits and 18 strikeouts across 61 at-bats.

With Travis' playing time having been cut due in part to the arrival of Lourdes Gurriel Jr. on April 20, the decision to send him down the QEW likely comes as a result of needing consistent at-bats while he tries to work out of this early-season slump.

Another roster move will need to be made when the club reinstates Josh Donaldson (who went 0-for-3 in his rehab debut with class-A Advanced Dunedin on Saturday) off the disabled list later next week.

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