Blue Jays call up Cruz and Santos, demote Mayza, designate Guilmet

The Toronto Blue Jays called up right-hander Luis Santos from triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

TORONTO -- With Marco Estrada forced from Tuesday's game after recording only one out in the first inning, the Toronto Blue Jays have secured some additional bullpen length by calling up both Rhiner Cruz and Luis Santos from triple-A Buffalo.

To clear spots for them on the 25-man roster, Preston Guilmet has been designated for assignment while Tim Mayza was optioned to Buffalo for a fifth time this season.

Cruz joins the Blue Jays after posting a 1.04 ERA with nine strikeouts and five walks in 8 2/3 innings with the triple-A Bisons this season. Should the 31-year-old righty make an appearance for the big club, it will be his first MLB assignment since coming out of the Astros' bullpen on September 29, 2013.

Santos, 26, has fared well over 17 appearances with Toronto's International League affiliate in 2018. To date, the Dominican hurler has posted an ERA of 2.52 while allowing just a single home run over 39 1/3 innings. He rejoins the Blue Jays after being roughed up for six runs in 1 2/3 innings with the club in a game vs. Cleveland on May 3.

In six appearances with the Blue Jays dating back to being claimed off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals on June 9, Guilmet allowed eight earned runs on 11 hits, nine of which went for extra bases.

Mayza rejoins Buffalo after recording four of the 26 outs the Blue Jays' bullpen was tasked with in the series opener against the Mets. Although he's been relatively strong against right-handers, the hard-throwing product of Allentown, Pa., has allowed nine of the 21 lefties he's faced this season to reach base (8/19 with a BB).

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