BALTIMORE -- Although it may have been a surprise move from the periphery to call up Yennsy Diaz to the Majors, there was never any lack of confidence in the 22-year-old. Even though his mother was overcome with emotion when he called her with the news on the way to the hotel after his game at Double-A on Friday, he felt it was a long time coming.
Toronto called up Diaz, its No. 24 prospect per MLB Pipeline, ahead of Saturday’s game against the Orioles. It was a move done out of necessity -- Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said the team needs bullpen length -- but still another move that reaffirmed the notion that the keys are in the youngsters’ hands.
“I am very emotional with this,” Diaz said through team interpreter Hector Lebron Saturday. “It was time for me to get the call. And I’m here and just going to have fun.”
Diaz was with the Blue Jays in Spring Training, and part of his confidence stems from the fact that he was included on the 40-man roster in the offseason. It helped with his confidence as well as making his callup logistically feasible -- no Blue Jay would have to be removed from the roster if he was going to get a shot.
“I really did work hard in the offseason,” he said. “I trust myself and I really believed this was what’s going to happen for me.”
It was the corresponding move for Nick Kingham, who was sent to the 10-day injured list Saturday with a left oblique strain after tossing three scoreless innings on Friday.
As an international signing in 2015, Diaz worked his way up the Blue Jays’ ladder, earning himself a spot at Double-A New Hampshire to start this season. Traditionally a starter, Diaz has put up a 4.15 ERA in 21 games (19 starts) this year to go along with a 1.87 strikeouts-to-walks ratio.
But for now, Toronto plans to use him for length out of the bullpen, and Montoyo said he wants to see how he fits in there before making an official call on whether to slot him into the rotation.
“He was the best option for us to give us length, the way our bullpen is now,” the manager said. “I will tell you more about it after I see him pitch, because I haven’t seen him since Spring Training. We all know he is a good arm, but I haven’t seen him.”
For Diaz, part of his maturation in ’19 has been the refining of his curveball. Before this year, he said it was just coming out of his hand without much, if any, comfort.
“[But] this year, I’m throwing it,” he said. “I would just point it. Now I’m throwing it, and it’s working out well.”
Now he’ll get his shot on a roster flush with youngsters who, like him, are looking to make themselves known and win ballgames at the same time.
“I am grateful for the opportunity given to me,” Diaz said. “Just going to take advantage and work 100 percent for this.”
“We know he is a kid, but his heartbeat is pretty good to make that jump,” Montoyo said. “He can pitch here right now.”
Giles return imminent
Closer Ken Giles took the next step on his path back from right elbow inflammation that kept him in Toronto past the Trade Deadline, throwing off a mound at Camden Yards before Saturday’s game against the Orioles. Barring any unexpected complications, the 28-year-old right-hander could be available as soon Sunday’s series finale.
Grichuk back in lineup
It took Randal Grichuk just two days to return to Toronto's starting lineup after fouling a ball off his mouth, even though he tried to lobby for a return on Friday. The outfielder was slotted at designated hitter Saturday, batting sixth.