This is your Blue Jays News, Rumors, and Commentary Roundup for the Morning of June 30, 2021.
“In one of the first deals of the summer trade season, the Blue Jays announced they’ve right-handed reliever Adam Cimber and left-handed-hitting outfielder Corey Dickerson from the Marlins in exchange for infielder Joe Panik and minor league righty Andrew McInvale. The swap comes barely a week after Toronto GM Ross Atkins acknowledged a desire to…”
“Cavan Biggio has been doing well since coming back from the IL, but Santiago Espinal has a pretty good chance of getting in the lineup today. His offence got him a couple runs early, but the game was still tight enough for Velasquez to accumulate a lot of WPA, taking home the WPA King award with a .434 mark. After a fun series opening win last night, the Blue Jays continue their 3 game set against the visiting Mariners this evening. Davis came in as a late game replacement yesterday.”
“Robbie Ray gives up singles to the first two batters, and Buck and Pat are going on about how Ray doesn’t lose anything as he pitches deep into the game. Three in the sixth: Lourdes Gurriel and Semien both singled. Anyway, until the sixth, Ray was having a good night. He gave up a walk and a single to start the first inning, and Ray had to work to get out of it, but after those first two batters, Ray got the next 14 batters.”
“Bichette also handed starter Robbie Ray the win with that home run, as the left-hander had just left a game after giving up a game-tying home run in the sixth. Semien launched his 19th home run of the season, also a three-run shot, to give the Blue Jays some insurance late. “I feel like I’ve grinded really well, and this month, obviously, I’ve fought through times where I’m not feeling better than I did earlier in the year, so I’ll just continue to do that.” The top four in this Blue Jays’ lineup just continues to be a nightmare for opposing pitchers, and that powerful group will expand to five when Springer really finds his groove. There isn’t a spot in this Blue Jays lineup that allows the other team’s starter to catch his breath, and like Ray says, that stretches right into the bottom of the lineup lately, with strong play from Cavan Biggio, Reese McGuire and others.”
“When Dickerson is healthy, the 32-year-old offers the Blue Jays a veteran bat with nine MLB seasons under his belt, hitting a career .282 with an .816 OPS. 28-ranked Blue Jays prospect Kevin Smith. The injured Dickerson (bruised left foot) heads to Toronto’s 10-day IL, and to make room on their 40-man roster, the Blue Jays designated left-hander Travis Bergen for assignment. There’s still ground to be made up in the Wild Card and American League East races, but the Blue Jays are confident that they’re better than they’ve shown, especially if some weaknesses can be shored up.”
“(Last updated: June 29) LHP Ryan Borucki (left forearm flexor strain) Expected return: Potentially late June Borucki “did well” and “felt good” following his bullpen session on Friday, manager Charlie Montoyo said. (Last updated: June 26) RHP Julian Merryweather (left oblique strain) Expected return: Early July Merryweather threw a side session this past week, which was “nice and easy,” according to manager Charlie Montoyo. He’s been in a walking boot lately, so Dickerson’s return isn’t immediately around the corner, but the Blue Jays should have a better feel for his potential timeline over the next week. (Last updated: June 29) RHP Rafael Dolis (right middle finger strain) Expected return: Potentially early July Dolis threw a 25-pitch bullpen on Tuesday and felt good with no lingering issues in his hand, manager Charlie Montoyo said. (Last updated: June 24) 10-day IL OF Corey Dickerson (left foot contusion) Expected return: After the All-Star break, TBD Dickerson has been dealing with this injury through June after stepping on first base awkwardly.”