Played college baseball at the University of Maryland where he was a Criminal Justice major...Left the school as the Terrapins single-season (13) and career saves (23) leader and single-season appearance leader (30)...Ranked 12th in NCAA Division 1 his sophomore season with 13 saves...Played high school baseball at DeMatha (MD) High School...Named NHSBCA and Louisville Slugger Player of the Year in the State of Maryland in 2004...Compiled a 13-1 record with a 1.75 ERA and 134 strikeouts in 89.1 innings over his junior and senior season...Has three children: Bryton, Branson and Braelynn...Resides in Jupiter, Florida.
2019
Missed the entire season with Carpal tunnel syndrome in his left hand. Did not appear in any professional games including minor league rehabilitation games.
2018
Appeared in 40 games, his lowest total since becoming a full-time relief pitcher in 2013...Pitched one-third of an inning on Opening Day at NYM (3/29) and was placed on the 10-day disabled list 3/30 (left shoulder strain)...Missed 55 games during two stints on the disabled list (3/30-5/10, left shoulder strain & 7/23-8/14, right foot inflammation)...Pitched on consecutive days eight times and was not scored upon in the second game each time (8 app./5.2 IP)...Made four appearances of four outs or more with a season-high 2.0 IP twice (6/10 at CIN & 6/15 vs. CHI) in consecutive appearances...Had best month in June registering a 2.25 ERA (12.0 IP/3 ER) in 10 appearances, single-month highs in IP and app...Surrendered two home runs to left-handed batters (8/31 vs. CIN, Scott Schebler & 9/25 vs. MIL, Christian Yelich)...He had gone from 5/12/17 to 8/31/18 without allowing a home run to a left-handed batter (last: Tommy La Stella, CHI, 5/12/17)...Has not allowed a run in six appearances vs. LAD since being acquired by the Cardinals (5.1 IP, 3 H); joins Jake Diekman and David Hernandez as the only three MLB pitchers with six or more app. vs. LAD in the last two years without allowing a run...Stranded the go-ahead run in the 8th inn. on 8/20 at LAD., retiring Cody Bellinger and stranding two inherited runners...Stranded 19-of-26 inherited runners in 2018...Went six consecutive road appearances without allowing a run (6/20-7/10) covering 6.1 innings...Made six injury rehabilitation appearances between Memphis (AAA) and Springfield (AA) throwing 6.0 scoreless innings allowing four hits.
2017
Made a career-high 73 appearances in his first season in a Cardinals uniform, ranking T6th in the National League and T8th most by a Cardinals left-hander in a single season…Posted a positive reverse split, holding RH batters to a .208 opp. BA, ranking 6th among all N.L. left-handed pitchers (min. 100 batters faced)…Ranked 9th among N.L. relief pitchers with a 2.14 BB/9 IP and 12th with a 4.13 K:BB ratio…Posted a season-high streak of 15.2 scoreless innings (6/13-7/14), spanning 15 appearances… Pitched on consecutive days 19 times with one stretch of three straight days (8/18-20 at PIT)…Made four appearances of 2.0 IP or more with a season-high 3.0 IP twice, both at CIN (8/6, W & 9/19, ND)… Recorded his first save as a member of the Cardinals (7/17 at NYM), his 12th career save…Struck out a season-high four batters twice (8/3 at MIL & 9/19 at CIN)…Made his 400th career relief appearance at PIT (9/24) and ended the season as one of 16 active left-handed pitchers with 400 or more appearances…Walked just one batter over his final 16 appearances (18.0 IP)…Suffered six blown saves, a single-season high and T4th in the N.L…Did not allow a run against an N.L. West opponent over 13 appearances (10.2 IP)…Set his single-season high of seven home runs allowed as a relief pitcher.
2016
Appeared in 54 games, his lowest total since becoming a full-time relief pitcher, in his eighth season with Toronto...Averaged 11.05 strikeouts/9 IP, his fourth consecutive season averaging over 10.0 strikeouts/9 IP...Was on Paternity Leave from 5/9-11 to accompany his wife Jennifer on the birth of their daughter, Braelynn...Placed on the 15-day disabled list with a torn left lat muscle from 5/15-6/29 missing 42 games. Made rehabilitation appearances in Dunedin (A) and Buffalo (AAA)...Did not allow a run from 8/24-9/28 covering 15 appearances (9.1 IP) allowing just six hits (0 H & 0 BB in his last 6 app.)...Held left-handed batters to a .258 BA (17-66) with just three extra bases...Threw a season-high 1.2 innings at BAL (4/21), his only appearance over 1.0 inning on the season...Made 18 appearances of one out or less, 14 of them scoreless...Tied the Major League record for losses by a relief pitcher in the month of April with five (Brett Oberholtzer, 2014, HOU), over 13 appearances...the mark tied a Blue Jays franchise record for losses in the month of April and the most by a Blue Jays reliever (Dave Lemanczyk 1978, 5 GS & Josh Towers 2006, 5 GS). 2016 POSTSEASON: Appeared in six games during the 2016 postseason and did not allow a run or a hit in 4.0 innings pitched...appeared in the A.L. Wild Card game vs. Baltimore (0.1 IP)...made two appearances for one out in the ALDS vs. Texas and threw 3.1 innings with four strikeouts vs. Cleveland in the ALCS...earned a Hold in Game 4 (10/18) of the ALCS vs. CLE retiring all three batters faced with strikeouts of Rajai Davis and Coco Crisp in a 5-1 Blue Jays win...extended his postseason scoreless streak to 6.1 innings dating back to 2015 (9 appearances).
2015
Over his final 39 games of the season, including two appearances in the ALDS, did not allow an earned run (33.2 IP). • Had a 26.0 inning scoreless streak from June 24-Sept. 19…The streak was snapped after allowing an unearned run in the 8th inning vs. BOS on Sept. 20 (0.2IP, 2K)…That streak was tied for the second longest scoreless innings streak by a reliever in club history (Scott Downs)…Marked the longest such streak by a reliever. • Did not allow an earned run over his final 31.2 IP (37G) of the regular season, dating back to June 24…Had 44 strikeouts over that stretch. • Dating back to July 25 gave up nine hits to the last 79 batters faced, holding the opposition to a .117 AVG…Had a SO/BB ratio of 32.00 over his last 27 outings (32K/1BB)…22 of his last 30 outs were strikeouts…Had retired 14 consecutive batters beginning July 25, until allowing a 1B to Beltran on Aug. 7 at NYY. • His .197 opponent's average on the season was 10th best in the AL (min 50 IP). • His five wins this year tied his career high (as a reliever) in a single season (2013). • Posted a 1.69 ERA on the road compared to a 3.25 ERA at Rogers Centre. • Allowed 4ER on June 21 vs. BAL the most ER he had given up since April 24, 2014 vs. BAL • Collected his 2nd career save of more than 1.0 IP (1.1) on June 12 at BOS…The 2-BB issued were his most since May 11, 2014 vs. LAA (2BB). • April 17 vs. ATL had his scoreless innings streak snapped at 22.1 IP…That streak spanned 25 appearances dating back to last season…Also had his streak of recording at least one SO in 14 straight outings snapped…Surrendered 2-HR in a game for the 2nd time in his career as a reliever (last: Aug. 2, 2014 at HOU). • Made his season debut at NYY on April 8, blowing his first save opportunity of the season. • Made his postseason debut October 8 vs. TEX, tossing 1.0 scoreless innings. • Appeared in only two games this postseason, allowing one hit over 2.0 innings pitched. • Suffered a torn left calf muscle October 9 during a rundown with the Rangers' Mike Napoli following a pickoff attempt.
2014
Ended the season with the longest scoreless innings streak of any AL pitcher (3rd in ML), after working 19.2 scoreless innings (21 games) starting on August 5 … Marked the longest scoreless innings streak by any Toronto pitcher in 2014… Over that stretch recorded 33 strikeouts, fanning at least one batter in 19 of those outings…Stranded 13 of his 14 inherited runners during that span. Led the club with 12.8 strikeouts per nine innings, a new career-high. Surrendered only two home runs all season, with both coming in the same outing (August 2 at HOU)…Posted the lowest home runs per nine total of his career (0.34), the lowest total on the team. Did not allow a run in 27 of his final 28 appearances (23.2IP). Finished the year T-5th in the AL with 24 holds…The 24 holds led the team and were the most by a Blue Jays reliever since Scott Downs recorded 26 in 2010. Recorded five saves this season, a new career-high…Was 5-for-7 in save opportunities on the year and is now 6-for-10 lifetime. Allowed his 1st HR of the season August 2 at HOU (2-HR)…Was the 1st home run he had surrendered since August 14, 2013, a span of 38.1 IP ... Marked the 1st time in his career to give up multi-home runs as a reliever. Began the season tossing 8.2 scoreless innings (10 appearances) before it was snapped April 24 vs. BAL. Stranded his first eight inherited runners of the year, finished the season stranding 35 of his 46 inherited runners. Made his season debut April 2 at TB recording his first save of the year. Was on the disabled list from June 19-July 4 due to a left groin strain.
2013
Retired 25 straight batters over a span of seven appearances beginning May 31 at SD, matching club record done previously by Casey Janssen…The streak was snapped June 17 vs. COL after intentionally walking M. Cuddyer. Worked 20.0 consecutive scoreless innings (17 games) beginning May 12 before it was snapped June 25 at TB in the 7th inning…It marked the longest scoreless streak for a Toronto reliever in 2013…Over that span he retired 56 of the 63 batters faced (3-BB, 4-1B)…Was the season-high scoreless innings streak by any Blue Jays reliever...Matched Buehrle for the longest scoreless stretch by any Toronto pitcher. Named to his 1st career All-Star team, striking out the only batter he faced (D.Brown). Prior to the All-Star break had a 1.94 ERA (10ER/46.1 IP) while holding opponents to a .173 average. Allowed four home runs in 60.2 innings pitched posting the lowest home runs per nine innings rate of his career (0.59). Earned his 1st career victory as a reliever April 21 vs. NYY. Placed on the 15-day DL on September 17 with left elbow discomfort…Was transferred to the 60-day DL on September 24.
2012
Made 21 appearances, including nine starts... Was recalled from New Hampshire (AA) on June 28 and made all nine starts
before being optioned to Las Vegas (AAA) on Aug. 3... Returned to the club Sept. 3 and spent the balance of the season
in the bullpen...As a starter went 2-4 with a 5.72 ERA...Out of the bullpen was 0-0 with a 5.73 ERA...Allowed three runs or less in six of his eight starts...In those six posted a 3.53 ERA...Limited left-handed hitters to a .214 average and now has held them to a .232 mark in his career... Right-handed hitters
hit .319 with a .934 OPS...Allowed 11 home runs in 61.1 innings and has now has given up a 1.61 HR/9 over the last two seasons... Prior to that
allowed just 1.18 HR/9 in his first two seasons...Began the season with New Hampshire making nine starts going 3-2 with a 3.38 ERA... Held Eastern League hitters to
a .267 average... Made six starts for Las Vegas gong 1-2 with a 2.50 ERA... Did not allow more than three runs in any of
his AAA starts.
2011
In his 3rd professional season made 20 starts for the Blue Jays and 12 starts for Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League (AAA)... SLOW START: Began the season in the Blue Jays rotation making four April starts... Posted a 1-2 record with a an ERA of 6.86 in those contests, allowing opponents to hit .304... VEGAS BOUND: Was optioned to Las Vegas
on April 21... Made 12 starts for the 51s, going 8-2 with a 5.26 ERA... Won seven consecutive for Las Vegas and added two
complete games, including one shutout... Was recalled to Toronto on June 20... FINDING A GROOVE: As he did in 2010,
pitched much more effectively when pitching on regular rest... Started 12 of his 20 games every 5th day, recording a 3.53 ERA
and holding opponents to a .229 average... In all other starts his ERA jumped to 6.85 with opponents hitting .302... Between
July 5 and August 19, earned three of his four season wins in nine starts while posting a 2.95 ERA... Recorded his second
complete game and first career shutout, a four-hit, 3-0 win at TEX on July 24... Posted wins in back-to-back starts vs., TEX, July
24 and July 29... BOMBS AWAY: Allowed a home run in all but four starts and 10 of his last 11... His 1.60 HR/9 this season
would have led the AL (C. Lewis - 1.57) had he enough innings to qualify... His 22 home runs allowed were second most on the
club, despite throwing only 123.2 innings... LOOKING FOR A W: Did not record a win after July 29... Over his final 10 starts,
went 0-7 with a 5.16 ERA... Opponents only hit .249 in those starts, however they hit 13 home runs in 59.1 innings... LIMITS
THE LEFTIES: Held left-handed hitters to a .186 average, and only five extra-base hits, of which zero were home runs... All 22
home runs came from right-handed hitters.
2010
In his 2nd season led the club with 15 victories, despite beginning the year at Las Vegas (AAA) ... Received a team high 5.5 runs per game of run support.
2009
Began his career with three consecutive quality starts, posting a 1.80 ERA over that span... DEBUT IN STYLE: Made his Major League debut on May 5 vs. CLE... Received a no-decision (6.0IP, 6H, ER, 6K) in a 10-6 win... Became the first American League pitcher to strike out six or more batters without a walk in his major-league debut since
Robinson Checo of the Red Sox did it in 1997 against the Yankees... Was only the second pitcher in the last 75 years to
hit three batters with pitches in his Major League debut... The other was Luis De Los Santos of the Devil Rays in 2002...
WIN #1: Received his first Major League win May 10 at OAK (8.0IP, 5H, 0ER, 2BB, 6K)... Is one of three Blue Jays rookies
to throw at least eight innings without allowing an earned run, no other club had two... STREAKING: Had a streak of 18
consecutive scoreless innings from July 10-26... Had a 16-inning streak earlier in the season... ROOKIES OF THE YEAR:
Is one of five pitchers to make their ML debut as a starter for the Blue Jays this season (Romero, Ray, Mills, Rzepczynski)...
This surpasses the four that made debut's in club's inaugural season of 1977 (Jerry Garvin, Jeff Byrd, Jim Clancy & Mike
Darr)... METEORIC RISE: Was the first player from the 2007 draft for the Blue Jays to reach the Major Leagues... Along
with teammates Brad Mills and Marc Rzepczynski, are the first major league team to feature three draft picks from the
2007, 2008 or 2009 draft at the Major League level... Overall made 18 appearances (17 starts) in his rookie campaign in
two different stints with club in 2009.
2008
Is the first player from the 2007 draft to reach the AAA level... Began the season with Dunedin (A), making four starts, posting a 1.74 ERA and limiting Florida State League hitters to a .167 average... Was promoted to New Hampshire (AA) for his April 30th start, losing in his debut, however he would go on to post a 6-2 record in 18 starts with a 2.55 ERA...
Continued to record excellent strikeout numbers with 87 in 77.2 innings, also limiting hitters to a .227 average at AA... In
his final 10 starts at New Hampshire, was 6-1 with a 1.66 ERA... Finished the 2008 campaign with Syracuse (AAA), making
six starts... Allowed five runs in his debut, then posted a 2-2 mark in his final five, with a 2.86 ERA... AAA hitters batted just
.237 and he added 31 strikeouts in 30.2 innings... Overall posted an 8-5 record with a 2.88 ERA at all three levels with a
strikeout rate of 9.8.
2007
Made his professional debut on June 23, pitching three innings of one-hit ball in relief... The balance of his 13 appearances were all starts, as he posted a 1.27 ERA in 14 total games... Held opponents to a .197 average, allowing only one home run over his 49.2 innings... Walked only 11 while adding 56 strikeouts, 10.2 per nine innings... Allowed only two
runs once, and was not scored upon in eight of his outings.
