Wagner back in Blue Jays' bullpen

TORONTO -- Relief pitcher Neil Wagner is back with the Blue Jays after the club optioned Chad Jenkins to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

Manager John Gibbons said the team had a surplus of long relief arms in the bullpen, making the Wagner recall necessary.

"We're pretty good down there as far as length in the bullpen with [Todd] Redmond and [Esmil] Rogers," Gibbons said. "Wagner can bail us out a little bit. [Steve] Delabar needs another day [of rest], [Casey] Janssen needs another day. Really, with two long guys, it made sense."

Wagner has made nine appearances with the Blue Jays this season, logging 8 2/3 innings for a 3.12 ERA.

The 30-year-old has pitched well enough to earn a spot on the Major League roster, but because he still has Minor League options, Wagner has fallen victim to the numbers game.

"That's one of the upsides to getting sent down," he said. "Burn another [option]. I have one left, but hopefully I'll pitch well and I won't need to use it, but we'll see.

"The fact that you know that's just how it is, that there's really not anything you can do about it, doesn't make it any less frustrating. But the bottom line is, you go down, put up your numbers and do your thing. Or else you sit and mope and you won't come back."

Wagner is coming off a right forearm strain that caused him to take a stint on the disabled list at Triple-A Buffalo. He made five appearances for the Bisons and allowed no earned runs over 5 1/3 innings of work while tallying three saves.