TORONTO -- The Blue Jays made a bullpen move prior to Tuesday's game against the Athletics, recalling Matt Dermody from Triple-A Buffalo and placing Danny Barnes on the 10-day disabled list with a right shoulder impingement.
Barnes has stepped up as a solidifying force in Toronto's bullpen this season, posting a 3.09 ERA with 47 strikeouts over 43 2/3 innings. His last two outings had a different look, however, as the right-hander allowed four earned runs, including two walks and a pair of home runs, while recording just two combined outs.
Toronto's relievers have been asked to carry a heavy load this season as the team deals with injuries and under-performance from the starting rotation. Entering play Tuesday, the bullpen's 363 2/3 innings are the second-most in the American League and Barnes was a central part of that.
Dermody rejoins the Blue Jays after making a brief appearance in April. That one outing didn't go Dermody's way, as the Orioles put up five runs, including three home runs, and the left-hander recorded just one out.
"That time he pitched here earlier, he faced a lot of righties," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "It wasn't ideal for him. He's a specialist kind of guy, you know. What can he do better? Just get the lefties out."
Between Triple-A and the Majors this season, Dermody has held left-handed hitters to a .616 OPS while right-handers have posted a mark of .914.
The addition of Dermody was made easier by him already being on the 40-man roster. J.P. Howell is the only other left-handed reliever on the 40-man after Jeff Beliveau was designated for assignment recently and sent outright to Triple-A.
Howell is continuing to rehab in Buffalo from left shoulder tightness, and last pitched on Sunday, throwing 1 1/3 innings while allowing a hit and striking out one.