Blue Jays giving reliable Delabar a breather
Reliever on Final Vote ballot to land last spot on AL All-Star team
TORONTO -- The Blue Jays' bullpen is essentially rested after starter Mark Buehrle ate up seven innings on Friday, but the club avoided calling Steve Delabar's name on Saturday against the Twins.
Delabar last pitched on Monday, but has been experiencing some soreness lately and the club is monitoring it.
"We're going to keep an eye on Delabar, too, he's hanging a little bit," manager John Gibbons said. "Nothing unusual, just there's been a lot of work."
In other news Saturday, Delabar was one of five relievers from the American League to receive a nomination for the Final Vote. The ballot will give fans an opportunity to decide which pitcher is deserving for the last spot on the American League All-Star team.
The 29-year-old righty has thrown 40 innings, which ranks 13th in the AL this season.
Delabar, who is 5-1 with a 1.58 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, a .193 average against and 57 strikeouts, has been one of the stabilizing forces in a solid Toronto bullpen.
Reliever Neil Wagner was also unavailable after throwing 39 pitches in Thursday's game against the Tigers.