Jays designate veteran Grilli for assignment

A cardboard box, some cleats and a few dry-cleaned shirts were all that remained at Jason Grilli’s stall in the Toronto Blue Jays’ locker-room Tuesday afternoon.

The veteran reliever’s nameplate had been removed, replaced with a scribbled message that read “Stay in the fight !!!! ”

The Blue Jays will continue their battle to get back to the playoffs without Grilli, who played a key role in Toronto’s run to the final four last year but struggled mightily this season. He was designated for assignment before Toronto’s night game against the Baltimore Orioles, ending his 13-month run with the team.

“This will hopefully give him a fresh start somewhere else,” said Blue Jays manager John Gibbons. “Maybe he’ll go somewhere and do for somebody what he did for us last year. “He really saved us last year.” The Blue Jays acquired the six-foot-five right-hander last May from the Atlanta Braves and he took advantage of his opportunity. Grilli was effective in high-leverage situations and took over the setup role ahead of closer Roberto Osuna.

But the 40-year-old couldn’t duplicate that success this season. Ryan Tepera and Joe Smith were more effective bridging the gap to Osuna and Grilli essentially became a pitcher without a role.

When he did make highleverage appearances in 2017, the results were often shaky. The final straw was likely a blown save last Friday in Kansas City, when Grilli gave up a two-run walkoff double to the lone batter he faced.