TORONTO -- The Blue Jays and Rays completed their Deadline trade involving Eric Sogard on Sunday, with Minor League pitchers Curtis Taylor and Edisson Gonzalez coming back to Toronto as the players to be named.
Taylor, a native of Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, adds more Canadian content to the organization. The right-hander has worked almost exclusively as a reliever for the past two seasons after being selected in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the D-backs.
This season with Double-A Montgomery in the Southern League, Taylor posted a 3.06 ERA over 17 2/3 innings with 16 strikeouts. The 24-year-old, who stands 6-foot-6, 230 pounds, has been on the injured list at Double-A since June 8. Taylor was dealt to the Rays for reliever Brad Boxberger in 2017.
Gonzalez, 19, signed with the Rays out of Panama in 2016 and has put together a strong season at Class A Short Season Hudson Valley. The 5-foot-10, 160-pound right-hander owns a 2.45 ERA over 11 starts and a pair of relief appearances (62 1/3 innings) with 77 strikeouts and 13 walks.
Sogard has continued his great 2019 season since being traded to the Rays, where he was hitting .307 with three home runs and an .848 OPS over 27 games entering play on Sunday. The veteran utility man has played exclusively at second base for the Rays, but he also saw time at shortstop, third base and both corner outfield positions while with the Blue Jays.
September roster additions begin
The Blue Jays' first wave of September additions featured reliever Ryan Tepera and catcher Beau Taylor, who were added to the active roster for the series finale against the Astros at Rogers Centre on Sunday.
Tepera was activated from the 60-day IL after undergoing elbow surgery in May. Prior to hitting the IL, Tepera posted a 6.55 ERA over 12 outings, but he has been one of the organization’s most reliable relievers stretching back to his debut in 2015. The 31-year-old now has a month to reestablish himself and enter the offseason with some momentum, but manager Charlie Montoyo won’t force him into a back-end role just yet.
“I would love to put him in a relaxed situation, where we’re winning by a lot or losing by a lot,” Montoyo said. “Just be comfortable and throw one inning.”
In Spring Training, Montoyo was quick to mention Tepera’s name as a potential opener. Wilmer Font has emerged as Toronto's primary opener over the past month, but Tepera’s mid-90s velocity and strong splits against right-handed hitters make him a natural fit.
Taylor, who was claimed off waivers from the Athletics two weeks ago, will serve as catching depth behind Danny Jansen and Reese McGuire. The 29-year-old has seen time in the Major Leagues in 2018 and '19 with Oakland and has hit .247 with eight home runs and an .821 OPS in Triple-A this season.
Fisher a late scratch
The Blue Jays scratched Derek Fisher from the starting lineup with a right ankle sprain just prior to Sunday’s rubber match against the Astros. Fisher injured himself while chasing a fly ball to the warning track in Saturday’s 6-4 win. The ball got over his head for a double before he slammed into the wall. Fisher finished the game, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. Brandon Drury took Fisher’s place in the lineup, playing left field.