Jenkins to Toronto, Schimpf to Buffalo: Roster Shuffling

 

Ryan Schimpf
Ryan Schimpf

 

There were a cluster of minor league roster moves today before Saturday’s slate of baseball games.

 

 

At the major league level, you probably are already aware that Neil Wagner was demoted to Buffalo and Chad Jenkins was recalled to join the Blue Jays. As I write this, Jenkins has already given up two home runs so the immediate results of this move haven’t been phenomenal. That said, I’m a big fan of Jenkins’ and I’m not entirely convinced that Wagner is able to be super successful at the big league level. Despite his big arm, I’ve seen Wagner get hit hard enough to doubt his efficacy over the long term.

 

Some other notes affecting the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons (h/t to Amy Moritz at the Buffalo News), righty Gregory Infante and infielder Ryan Schimpf were called up to the Bisons and infielder Kevin Nolan was sent back to New Hampshire. Yesterday, Shawn Hill was also activated from extended spring training to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

 

Greg Infante, signed as a minor league free agent this offseason, has been lights out as the closer in Double-A New Hamsphire. While he has allowed three runs  in eight innings, all three runs came in two outings (April 4, his first of the year and April 11). Since April 11, he has only given up one hit (and no walks) in five innings, earning saves in all of them and striking out four batters.

 

Schimpf is off to a blistering start to his season, hitting .322/.459/.661 in 59 at bats and leads the Fisher Cats with four home runs and also has eight doubles. Typically known for his “Three True Outcome” approach, Schimpf will strike out a lot but he will also take a ton of walks and hits with enough power to make you forget that he only stands 5-foot-9. Schimpf is a versatile defender who can play second base, third base and the outfield.

 

UPDATE: There were a few moves by the New Hampshire Fisher Cats that come later than the earlier reports. 1B Mike McDade has been activated from the DL along with RHP Randy Boone. To make room for McDade, Peter Mooney has been placed on the DL.

 

Matt Newman
Matt Newman

 

In a much quieter transaction, the Dunedin Blue Jays put outfielder Matt Newman on the 7-day DL and replaced him on their roster with outfielder Nick Baligod.

 

On Thursday, the Lansing Lugnuts also made a move, activating RHP Phil Kish from the DL and placing RHP Jimmy Cordero on the disabled list.

 

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All photos are copyright Blue Jays from Away (2013-2014) and may not be used without permission.