Jays place Barnes on DL, recall Dermody
TORONTO The Toronto Blue Jays placed reliever Danny Barnes on the 10-day disabled list on Tuesday, and manager John Gibbons was hopeful that something tangible would come from lefty Matt Dermody, who was recalled from triple-A Buffalo.
Certainly it couldn’t be worse for Dermody than his only previous appearance for Toronto this season, when he gave up five earned runs in one-third of an inning on April 16 versus Baltimore. Dermody was hit for three home runs that day, marking the sixth time in Jays history a reliever allowed at least three homers in an inning, and the first time since Brian Tallet did so against Boston during a game in 2010.
“The time he pitched here earlier he faced a lot of righties and that was not ideal for him,” Jays manager Gibbons said before Toronto faced the Oakland Athletics at the Rogers Centre.
“He is a specialist kind of guy, you know? What can he do better? Get the lefties out. That’s what his job is.”
Barnes, who has a record of 2-3 in 37 games for the Jays this season, was placed on the DL with impingement in his right shoulder.
Dermody was 5-1 with Buffalo with a 3.29 earned-run average.
Meanwhile, left-handed reliever Jeff Beliveau cleared waivers after being designated for assignment and was outrighted to Buffalo. In 19 games with the Jays, Beliveau had a 7.47 ERA in 15 2/3 innings.
EYES ON JOSH
Entering Tuesday night, Josh Donaldson was hitting a career .328 against the A’s, the only other major-league team he has played for. Donaldson was 20-for-61 with three home runs, 15 RBI and six doubles.
So yes, it’s unfortunate the Jays couldn’t play Oakland a little more often, considering Donaldson’s overall woes this season. Donaldson carried a .239 average into Tuesday with nine homers and 29 RBIs.
“You’re not going to hold him down forever,” Gibbons said. “No chance. You still feel good every time he steps in there because something good can happen.
“He’s not just out there freeswinging trying to hit home runs. He is a good hitter.”