Blue Jays acquire pitcher Sam Gaviglio
The Toronto Blue Jays acquired right-hander Sam Gaviglio from the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. Photo Credit: Toronto Blue Jays
By Andrew Hendriks
Canadian Baseball Network
In an attempt to supplement their rotation depth after losing left-handed starter Thomas Pannone to an 80-game suspension on Saturday, the Toronto Blue Jays have acquired Sam Gaviglio from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
Completing Wednesday's transaction, left-handed reliever Matt Dermody was designated for assignment in order to create an opening on the Blue Jays' 40-man roster.
Gaviglio, 28, pitched to an ERA of 4.36 with 49 strikeouts against 26 walks across 74 1/3 innings between the Seattle Mariners and the Kansas City Royals in 2017.
A former fifth-round draft pick of the St. Louis Cardinals, the product of Ashland, Ore., has appeared in 123 minor league contests dating back to 2011, going 37-42 while making a total of 115 starts over parts of seven seasons as a professional.
With eight runs allowed in seven Cactus League innings this spring, Gavigilo was designated for assignment on Saturday following the Royals acquisition of free-agent righty Justin Grimm.
The 6-foot-2 hurler will join a group of triple-A rotation candidates that includes a trio of former big league starters in Chirs Rowley, Deck McGuire, and Nick Tepesch. With Marcus Stroman now slated to start the fourth game of the regular season after recovering from shoulder inflammation earlier in camp, you can potentially add Joe Biagini to that mix, though he may be destined for a relief role with the big league squad out of spring training.
Ryan Borucki will also look to make a case. But having thrown only six innings above the double-A level, it's hard to imagine a scenario in which the 23-year-old southpaw is called upon prior to having a chance to benefit from additional seasoning with the Buffalo Bisons in 2018.
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