Blue Jays activate Happ, send Leone to triple-A

Out since April 16 with elbow inflammation, left-hander J.A. Happ will make his return and start for the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds. Photo Credit: Jay Blue

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

After missing the last 39 games due to an untimely bout of left elbow inflammation, Toronto Blue Jays southpaw J.A. Happ has been formally activated ahead of the Blue Jays' tilt against Cincinnati on Tuesday.

In a corresponding move, right-handed reliever Dominic Leone was optioned to triple-A Buffalo.

Happ, 34, appeared in only three games before landing on the disabled list shortly after his start on April 16 vs. Baltimore. In 16 innings, last year's 20-game winner had pitched to an ERA of 4.50 with 20 strikeouts, four home runs allowed and he had not issued a walk.

Shortly ahead of the July non-waiver trade deadline in 2012, Happ headlined a package of players who were shipped from the Houston Astros to the Blue Jays in exchange for Joe Musgrove, David Rollins, Carlos Perez and Asher Wojciechowski. 

Promoted from triple-A Louisville after posting an ERA of 1.40 across five minor league starts, Wojciechowski will make his first start for Cincinnati against his former trade partner under the roof at Rogers Centre on Tuesday.

Falling victim to the options remaining on his current contract, Leone had pitched in 21 of the Blue Jays' 50 games this season, going 1–0 with 25 strikeouts while allowing 11 earned runs across 24 1/3 innings. 

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