Blue Jays call up House, send Mayza down

The Toronto Blue Jays recalled left-hander T.J. House on Saturday. Photo Credit: Jay Blue

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

With a rash of flu-like symptoms sweeping through the bullpen, the Toronto Blue Jays made another roster move on Saturday by calling up lefty T.J. House and optioning fellow southpaw Tim Mayza back to triple-A Buffalo.

House, 27, joins the Blue Jays having led the Bisons staff with nine wins and 104 strikeouts in 2017. For the year, the product of Slidell, La., has pitched to an ERA of 4.27 with a WHIP of 1.577 across 130 2/3 frames.

Over parts of three seasons in the majors, the former 16th round draft pick owns a cumulative win/loss total of 5-7 and an overall ERA of 4.44 through 27 appearances, 22 of which came as a starter.

Mayza, 25, pitched to an ERA of 6.00 with five strikeouts and one walk in three innings since making his MLB debut against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday.

Having accounted for a grand total of 61 pitches thrown over the last four days, it was unlikely that Mayza was going to be available on Saturday and, given the Blue Jays' recent troubles with the flu, additional arms are needed out of the bullpen.

On Friday, Roberto Osuna was forced to leave the ballpark after falling ill prior to Blue Jays' 7-4 loss to the Cubs. A day later, it was Ryan Tepera who wasn't healthy enough to answer the call.

With Nick Tepesch taking the hill for the Blue Jays on Saturday, the club's highly taxed bullpen could benefit from the addition of House, who, having last pitched on August 13, will provide some welcome length if called upon in the Windy City.

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