TORONTO (AP) -The Blue Jays recalled right-hander Brian Wolfe from Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday, optioned righty Lee Gronkiewicz to Syracuse and gave right-hander John Thomson his unconditional release.
Wolfe appeared in four games with Toronto earlier this season, allowing two runs on five hits in 3 1-3 innings. He was 2-0 with a 1.04 ERA in 17 games at Triple-A, striking out 23 batters while walking just six in 26 innings.
Gronkiewicz made his major league debut in Tuesday’s 10-1 defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing one run on two hits over four innings. He walked two and struck out two.
Manager John Gibbons said the Blue Jays made the move to get a fresh arm for their bullpen after starter Dustin McGowan lasted just 1 2-3 innings Tuesday.
“We like Wolfe, but Gronkiewicz threw a lot last night so he wasn’t going to be available for a couple of days,” Gibbons said. “God forbid something happens and you’ve got to use everybody again. That would set you back a couple of days.”
Thomson appeared in just 18 games for Atlanta last season after missing time with finger and shoulder injuries. He signed a one-year contract with Toronto in the offseason but never pitched for the Blue Jays. Thomson developed a sore shoulder during spring training and was sent to Syracuse on a rehabilitation assignment, going 2-4 with a 4.58 ERA in seven starts.
Toronto is responsible for the remainder of his $1.5 million salary.
“We just came to the conclusion that he wasn’t going to help us,” Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said. “We weren’t seeing anything that was going to be an upgrade on what we have here.”
Ricciardi said outfielder Reed Johnson (herniated disk) should be ready to return following the All-Star break, July 9-11. He also said left-hander Gustavo Chacin (sore shoulder) is throwing from flat ground and could be ready to begin a rehab assignment within the next two weeks.
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