HOUSTON -- The Blue Jays added a needed bullpen arm after burning through five relievers in Friday's 16-7 loss to the Astros at Minute Maid Park.
Prior to Saturday's game, the Blue Jays selected the contract of reliever Taylor Cole, marking his first big leagues stint, and designated Mike Bolsinger for assignment.
When Cole got the news that he was headed to the Majors, he couldn't believe it.
"I saw that and my heart sank," the 27-year-old righty said. "It was just really cool."
"It's a big day, any time you get that first call," said Gibbons, who admitted he hadn't seen much of Cole pitching lately. "You root for those guys. It's a dream come true, and here it is."
"Haven't seen a lot of him," the manager added. "He came over, what was it, two years ago in Spring Training? Then I think he came to Montreal with us. Then he had some shoulder issues, but they say they like the way he's throwing the ball well. It's a good opportunity for him."
In one-third of an inning on Friday, Bolsinger, 29, allowed four earned runs on four hits and walked three, bumping his ERA to 6.31 in 11 appearances (five starts).
Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Cole, who arrived in Houston on Saturday, could be used as a multi-inning reliever. With stops at three different Blue Jays affiliates since early July, Cole hasn't allowed an earned run in 90 days. He's allowed six hits and struck out 16 in 12 2/3 innings since July 5.
Gibbons said he'd prefer to ease Cole into his first appearance in the Majors. That, quite possibly, could be on Saturday against the Astros, who lead MLB with 646 runs, 1,112 hits and a .292 team batting average.
"He's pitched pretty good, so that could come in handy today," Gibbons said before Saturday's game. "Naturally, you try to ease them all in. You can't always do that, but that's probably the ideal way to do it. … Until he gets in, he'll be a little anxious I would think, like they all are."