Jays promote Pannone, Biggio, Gurriel, send down McKinney, Urena

Left-hander Thomas Pannone was one of three players recalled from the triple-A Buffalo Bisons by the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. Photo: Kim Klement/USA Today Sports

May 24, 2019

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

TORONTO -- After his team dropped three of four to the Boston Red Sox, Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo received some reinforcements on Friday as infielders Cavan Biggio and Lourdes Gurriel, as well as left-handed hurler Thomas Pannone were promoted from triple-A Buffalo in advance of Toronto's interleague series opener against the San Diego Padres at Rogers Centre.

In 41 games with the triple-A Bisons, Biggio, 24, has slashed .306/.440/.507 with 14 extra-base hits spread out across 168 plate appearances.

Prior to Friday's transaction, the left-handed hitting product of Houston, Tex., was leading the Bisons in batting average (.307), runs (23), home runs (6) and tied with Gurriel in RBI (26). He had also walked more times (34) than striking out (28), and his 34 free passes were good for the second most in the International League, one behind Boston's Josh Ockimey.

Though the majority of his defensive play has come at second base this season (188 frames), versatility is also a big part of Biggio's game. Over 332 innings in 2019, the former fifth-round draft pick spent time at first (48), third (53) and both corner outfield positions (77, combined).

In 30 tuneup games since being demoted on April 15 due in part to a series of defensive miscues, Gurriel has slashed .273/.305/.479 with 13 doubles and four home runs. He too as toured the diamond, splitting time between second, short and left field while committing three errors in 68 total chances.

Pannone appeared in just one game with the Herd following his option on May 15, allowing a pair of runs on two base hits through 2 2/3 innings of work.

To make room on the Blue Jays 25-man roster, OF Billy McKinney and INF Richard Urena were optioned to triple-A Buffalo while RHP Elvis Luciano was placed on the Bereavement List.

ARMS RACE

In addition to the trio of former Bisons, recent waiver claim Zac Rosscup was also activated on Friday.

In 19 games with the Seattle Mariners ahead of being designated for assignment on May 17, the 6-foot-2 native of Clackamas, Ore., had pitched to an ERA of 3.21 while striking out 20 of the 69 batters he faced. If there's a knock on the veteran hurler's recent performance, it comes in the form of his lack of ability to command the strike zone. A talking point made relevant due to the 14 free passes he has issued over is 14 frames thus far in 2019.

Through parts of six MLB campaigns, the former 28th-round draft pick has been especially tough on lefties, allowing just 17 hits over 132 at-bats (.129 OBA).

To clear a spot for Rosscup on both the 40 and 25-man rosters, RHP Jimmy Cordero was DFA'd on Thursday.

ROOKIN' GOOD

Promoted to the Show, Biggio becomes the seventh rookie-classified batter to suit up with the Blue Jays in 2019. For those keeping score at home, that's more than any other Major League club (TBR-6).

Entering Friday's action, Toronto led the Majors in rookie hits (115), home runs (19) and RBI (55).

The franchise record for most hits by rookie players in one season is 649, established by Bob Bailor, Doug Ault and co. during the club's inaugural campaign in 1977.

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