TORONTO -- Jaime Garcia's time in Toronto came to an end Saturday afternoon when the veteran left-hander was designated for assignment by the club to make room for Aaron Sanchez who returns from a right index finger contusion.
The 32-year-old joined the Blue Jays at the start of Spring Training on a one-year deal worth $8 million, which also included a $10 million club option for 2019 and a $2 million buyout. The deal never worked out for Toronto as Garcia struggled with command and injury problems throughout the season.
When a player's contract is designated for assignment -- often abbreviated "DFA" -- that player is immediately removed from his club's 40-man roster, and 25-man roster if he was on that as well. Within seven days of the transaction (it was previously 10 days), the player must either be traded, released or placed on irrevocable outright waivers.
The Blue Jays had planned on Garcia to be the team's fifth starter, but after 13 starts and a 6.16 ERA, he was transitioned to the bullpen. He was slightly better out of the bullpen, posting a 4.85 ERA in 13 innings.
"He really did a nice job down there [in the bullpen]," manager John Gibbons said. "I would think somebody would take a shot on him, just with what he did out of the bullpen for us."
Garcia finished his Blue Jays' tenure with a 5.93 ERA over 74 1/3 innings.
September Rotation
With Sanchez back on the mound, a six-man rotation could be on the horizon for the Blue Jays when Marcus Stroman returns from his blister injury.
"Even in September, if you go with six guys, that's not necessarily a bad thing," Gibbons said. "These guys have logged some innings, other than Sanchez."

Gibbons says he views Thomas Pannone as a starter, and after a six inning, one-hit performance against the Orioles on Wednesday, the 24-year-old is expected to get a few more starts.
If Marco Estrada is not dealt before Friday's waiver trade deadline, the team could have seven candidates for the rotation including Sam Gaviglio and Sean Reid-Foley, who is at Triple-A.
Reid-Foley struggled in his two Major League starts this year, posting an 8.69 ERA with a 2.04 WHIP and is coming up to his innings max. Entering Saturday, the 22-year-old had thrown 126 2/3 innings, six fewer than his career max of 132 2/3 innings.