Back in June, the buzz was that the Toronto Blue Jays were going to call their top hitting prospect, Brett Lawrie, up to play third base. The Blue Jays were getting absolutely nothing from their third basemen early in the season, and after the Jays made sure that Lawrie wasn't going to accrue enough service time to enter free agency a year too early found his stroke in the minors, he was going to get the job.
Brett Lawrie Called Up, Travis Snider Sent Down
But an errant fastball broke Lawrie’s hand in the minors before he could get called up. Now it’s healed, he’s had a few at-bats to recuperate, and the long-awaited call-up is finally here. From The FAN 590:
The Jays have placed Carlos Villanueva on the 15-day disabled list, demoted OF Travis Snider, called up 3B Brett Lawrie and LHP Luis Perez.
Lawrie's arrival will push Jose Bautista back to the outfield, with Eric Thames moving from right field to left. For Snider, it's more disappointment, as his plate discipline hasn't improved in the four seasons he's been in the majors. Since his recall on July 4th, he has hit .274 (ok) with a .442 slugging percentage (sounds good) and a K/BB ratio of 32/1 in 95 at-bats (HOLY CRAP). He's still just 24, but he needs to fix something, and the Jays would prefer that he does it in Las Vegas.
Villanueva had a quick start as a reliever this year, with a 1.48 ERA in 24-1/3 innings, and he was doing okay as a starter until his last start on August 3rd, when he allowed eight runs to the Rays in 2-2/3 innings. He was placed on the DL with a right forearm strain.
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