Blue Jays recall Devon Travis
Devon Travis has been recalled from triple-A Buffalo by the Toronto Blue Jays. Photo Credit: Amanda Fewer
By Andrew Hendriks
Canadian Baseball Network
TORONTO -- Devon Travis is back from Buffalo and will be batting ninth in the Blue Jays' order as Toronto kicks off a three-game set against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night at Rogers Centre.
Tuesday's call-up completes a transaction that was initiated when the club optioned infielder Richard Urena to triple-A following Sunday's 9-2 loss to the Oakland Athletics.
Having posted an OPS of .509 in 14 games with Toronto's International League affiliate, Travis rejoins the big league club after collecting a base hit in each of his last eight contests with the Herd. In all, the 27-year-old product of West Palm Beach, Fla., slashed .210/.234/.274 with a pair of walks and seven strikeouts through 64 plate appearances after being optioned on April 29.
In 18 games with Toronto this season, Travis collected just nine base hits in 61 at-bats, walking only twice and striking out 18 times prior to his demotion.
Outside of his offensive issues, part of the reasoning behind optioning the career .282 hitter was to provide Travis with an opportunity to receive a heavier amount of at-bats without having to adhere to the pressures of Major League Baseball.
With Buffalo, Travis was placed on a three on, one off program aimed at enhancing the two on, one off schedule he had been given with the Blue Jays to open the 2018 season. For those keeping track at home, 12 of his 14 triple-A appearances came as a second baseman.
In 11 games with the Blue Jays, Urena slashed .278/.278/.444 with seven strikeouts, no walks and a pair of errors in 44 defensive innings.
Down a glove on the left side of their infield, the Blue Jays will give both Gio Urshela and Yangervis Solarte a share of the shortstop duties as Aldemys Diaz (right ankle) and Troy Tulowitzki (right heel) work their way back from the disabled list.
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