Jays waive Latos, elevate Biagini

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. •If Blue Jays manager John Gibbons ever leaves baseball, he can a job with the circus. He’s already got the juggling act down. In his pre-game chat on Friday at Tropicana Field, Gibbons shot down some rumours, confirmed a couple others and set the record straight on a number of questions fired his way.

There are a lot going on with the Jays right now and they’re scrambling.

Spot starter Mat Latos is history. Officially designated for assignment, which means he’s gone. But the story doesn’t end there. Gibbons was asked if Latos’ DFA was the result of some mediocre performances as a spot starter this season — particularly his performance on Tuesday night in New York where he gave up 10 hits, four of which were home runs, and seven runs in four innings ... or was there something deeper behind it? The often-controversial pitcher was gone by the time the clubhouse was opened after Tuesday’s game. Win or lose, starters generally stick around to face the music. But Latos was long gone — reportedly because of a personal issue, though there were rumours that his departure went beyond that, that perhaps he was angry for being left hanging by the Jays against the Yankees.

“That had nothing to do with (his DFA). He had clearance to (leave),” said Gibbons. Gibbons’ answer was met with some skepticism and he knew it. “Don’t they call me Honest John for a reason?” he said with a laugh.

Latos was originally scheduled to start at Tropicana Field on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Gibbons confirmed that reliever Joe Biagini will now start on Sunday. Right-hander Marco Estrada will go Saturday, Biagini on Sunday, Marcus Stroman — whom Gibbons said is feeling much better after leaving Wednesday’s game with general arm soreness — will start on Monday an the Jays will probably call up a pitcher from Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday. The Jays open a three-game series against Cleveland on Monday at the Rogers Centre. The Jays have talked since they got Biagini in the Rule 5 draft in December 2105 that he was destined to be a starter.

With Biagini temporarily moving to the rotation, the Jays made a move on Thursday to bolster the pen, claiming Neil Ramirez off waivers from San Francisco. He joined the team on Friday. Toronto also claimed Cesar Valdez from the Oakland A’s, who was then optioned to Buffalo.

Gibbons was asked about the return of his veteran position players on the DL, third baseman Josh Donaldson (right calf) and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (right hamstring), who have been in Florida on rehab assignment. Gibbons was asked if he was still optimistic they’d both be ready to play on Monday.

“I never said Monday. I said hopefully the next homestand,” said Gibbons. “I’ll talk to them (Friday night), but everybody says they’re moving in the right direction.”