SAN FRANCISCO -- The Blue Jays recalled right-hander Ryan Tepera from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday afternoon to take the place of lefty Brett Cecil, who was placed on the paternity list.
Cecil left the club following Sunday's game against the Dodgers to attend the birth of his child. His daughter Braelynn Natalie Cecil was born Monday morning. Cecil is expected to miss the entire three-game series against the Giants but likely will rejoin the club Friday in Arlington.
Chad Girodo will temporarily become the primary left-hander out of the bullpen. Tepera made two appearances for the Blue Jays earlier this season, and he allowed a pair of runs over two innings. He also tossed 8 2/3 innings for Buffalo and allowed seven runs on 12 hits and four walks compared to seven strikeouts.
Going with the hot hand
Right-handers Gavin Floyd and Jesse Chavez are expected to see increased roles in the bullpen following the continued struggles of Cecil and right-hander Drew Storen. Manager John Gibbons strongly hinted Monday afternoon that changes were on the way.
Storen appeared to be making progress with three consecutive scoreless appearances from May 2-6 but any momentum he gained was lost Sunday afternoon. Storen walked the first batter he faced and then surrendered a key double en route to a pair of earned runs in Toronto's 4-2 loss to the Dodgers.
Floyd and Cecil were expected to be the primary setup men for closer Roberto Osuna but Gibbons will start using Chavez and Floyd in those high-leverage spots until the rest of the bullpen sorts itself out.
"Early in the season you set up your plans how you want to use your personnel and you give them the shot to do it," Gibbons said. "If that's not working, make some adjustments, but guys need opportunities, especially guys who have been successful in the past and have proven themselves in the big leagues. It's no different than a hitter that's struggling. Do you get rid of them, too?"
Happy homecoming
Rule 5 pick Joe Biagini has been a pleasant surprise for the Blue Jays this season as he entered play Monday night with one earned run in 9 2/3 innings. He is slowly but surely gaining the trust of Gibbons and could eventually transition from long reliever to someone who is used in more important situations.
Biagini belonged to the Giants until Toronto selected him during December's Winter Meetings in Nashville. He would need to be offered back to San Francisco if he doesn't remain on the 25-man roster but Biagini's spot seems all but officially guaranteed following his strong start to the year.
"He's good," Gibbons said of Biagini's spot. "Coming into the season, we didn't know what to expect. You never know if you're going to be able to carry the guy. But shoot ... he's got the stuff, that's for sure. Some of the best stuff we've got."