April 15, 2021

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

The Toronto Blue Jays completed a series of roster transactions prior to Thursday's series opener against the Kansas City Royals by recalling LHP Anthony Kay and RHP Joel Payamps.

RHP Ross Stripling (flexor strain) and Markham, Ont., native Jordan Romano (ulnar neuritis) were subsequently placed on the 10-day injured list.

Through five games with the club this spring, Kay allowed seven earned runs on 12 hits, striking out 12 and issuing seven free passes across his 13 2/3 innings. The 26-year-old will make his third career big league start on Thursday.

Twice claimed off waivers by Toronto in the offseason, Payamps is set for his third stint with the Blue Jays already in 2021. The 6-foot-2 righty has navigated his way through four scoreless frames with the club, striking out four batters and allowing a pair of hits.

Stripling was a late scratch for the Blue Jays on Wednesday. Through a pair of starts, the Pennsylvania-born southpaw has allowed seven earned runs on 13 hits across 8 1/3 frames.

Prior to landing on the IL, Romano had been charged with one earned run on a walk and four hits in 2021. The 6-foot-5 graduate of Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy has struck out four batters over his 3 1/3 innings.

With Romano and Stripling joining Nate Pearson (abductor), Julian Merryweather (oblique), Kirby Yates (elbow), Tyler Chatwood (triceps), Thomas Hatch (elbow), and Patrick Murphy (shoulder) on the IL, the Blue Jays now have eight pitchers shelved with injuries early on.

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