Guerra helps fill void late in games

One-time Dodgers closer offers experience out of the bullpen

The beginning of Javy Guerra’s time with the Toronto Blue Jays was about as nondescript as they come, but it didn’t take long for the reliever to find himself in some high-leverage situations.

The 33-year-old right-hander was a nonroster invitee for spring training, then posted a tidy 0.87 ERA through 101⁄ 3 Grapefruit League innings. And when Jays relievers started dropping like flies, among them Ryan Tepera and John Axford, Guerra became the Plan B.

“You never know,” Guerra said. “Sometimes things like this happen and you’re ready.”

Guerra has spent parts of nine years in the big leagues, though he has never pitched more than 462⁄ innings in a single season, 3 and the Jays haven’t hesitated to use him late.

“He’s been really good for us,” pitching coach Pete Walker said. “He’s a great clubhouse guy. He’s been around. Even though he doesn’t have a ton of major-league experience, he has a veteran presence. Ideally you work your way into those roles but he’s been kind of forced into it a little bit here and he’s doing everything he can to get us outs.”

The way the bullpen has rallied in the absence of some key arms is exactly what Guerra expected. The Jays have relied on the same eight relievers since the start of the season, an unusual spell of consistency for a club whose pitchers have been plagued by injuries the past two years. The group has a 4.09 ERA, 13th in the majors heading into Wednesday despite being relatively inexperienced. The average age is just over 27, the average big-league time less than five years.

Toronto’s starters have shown unity this season with a group warm-up routine. Guerra said there is a similar sense of togetherness in the bullpen. That isn’t always the case.

“It’s a good feeling knowing everyone’s rooting for everyone. There’s no distraction,” he said.

Guerra knows how to handle the pressure of the late innings. He was a closer for the Los Angeles Dodgers for much of his first big-league season, notching 21 saves in 2011. And he gave up just one run in his first six outings for the Jays, though he has struggled in his past two appearances, surrendering five runs on five hits and walking a pair in 11⁄ 3 innings.