Blue Jays designate reliever Tim Mayza for designation, Romano retires indefinitely

TORONTO — Bullpen depth was at the heart of the Toronto Blue Jays’ success last year. This season, injuries and other issues have depleted that.

Veteran reliever Tim Mayza was designated for assignment and closer Jordan Romano of Markham, Ont., was held out with elbow discomfort by the Blue Jays on Saturday. Toronto manager John Schneider said the decimation of his zone was difficult.

“It’s always an opportunity for guys to step up and guys have at certain times and you hope those times are more consistent, but it’s tough,” Schneider said hours before the Blue Jays host the New York Yankees . “I think it was tough. It was tough.”

Mayza was sent to the triple-A Buffalo Bisons, with right-hander Jose Cuas recalled to take his place. Because Mayza is considered a veteran under Major League Baseball’s collective bargaining agreement, he must clear waivers before he can report to Toronto’s minor league team.

Mayza, 32, who spent his entire seven-year career with the Blue Jays, had a career-best 1.52 earned run average in 69 appearances in 2023. He had an 0-1 record this season with an 8.03. HE WAS OVER 24 2/3 innings with just 16 strikeouts.

“I think it’s just a need for left-handed pitching, I don’t know exactly what it is around the league,” Schneider said. “A guy with his track record, I think this year has been really tough for him.

“So we’ll see if anyone takes a chance on him.”

His reassignment comes after he surrendered five earned runs without an out in Friday’s 16-5 loss to New York. Schneider said he expects Mayza to report to the Bisons if no other team claims him off waivers.

“He’s a class act. As a player, teammate, husband and father. You know what I mean?” Schneider said. “He rocks his collared shirt every day and he’s done a lot for this team and the players by being a stabilizing guy in the box.”

Cuas was claimed off waivers by the Blue Jays on Sunday from the Chicago Cubs.

Romano will see doctors on Tuesday after experiencing discomfort with his elbow throw on Friday. Romano had been a lights-out closer last season with a 2.90 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 59 innings pitched. He had 36 saves in 40 save opportunities.

Like Mayza, this season was a struggle for Romano, with a 6.59 ERA and eight saves in 13 2/3 innings pitched before being derailed by injuries.

“We thought we turned a little bit of a corner, but yesterday didn’t go as well as we hoped,” Schneider said, noting that imaging showed no obvious structural damage to Romano’s elbow. “So I think just getting in person, evaluation is the next step.”

Romano was already on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. Right-handed pitcher Yimi Garcia, arguably the best reliever in baseball before he was sidelined with right ulnar neuritis, is also on IL.

“It wasn’t on our bingo card this year,” Schneider said. “A variety of things down there in that ‘pen.’

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on June 29, 2024.

John Chidley-Hill, Canadian Press