Blue Jays place Thornton on IL, recall Bergen, designate Pannone

The Toronto Blue Jays designated LHP Thomas Pannone for assignment on Monday as part of a series of roster moves. Photo: USA Today

August 24, 2020

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

For the second time this month, the Toronto Blue Jays have placed RHP Trent Thornton on the 10-day Injured List with right elbow inflammation.

In a corresponding move, LHP Travis Bergen had his contract purchased by the MLB team and will be active for Monday's series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays. To make room for Bergen on the 40-man roster, LHP Thomas Panonne was designated for assignment.

Bergen, 26, appeared in 26 games with the San Francisco Giants in 2019, going 2-0 with an ERA of 5.49 across 19 2/3 innings. Through parts of five minor league campaigns, the former seventh-round draft pick has posted a cumulative WHIP of 1.088 while striking out 138 batters against 37 walks.

In three appearances with the Blue Jays this season, Thornton has allowed seven earned runs on 15 hits, with a WHIP of 3.18 across 5 2/3 innings of work.

Shelved for ten days in July of 2019, and another 13 earlier this month, Monday's move represents his third trip to the I.L. due to inflammation in his throwing elbow.

Thornton joins Nate Pearson (right elbow) and Matt Shoemaker (right shoulder inflammation) as the third Toronto starter lost to injuries in the last six days, leaving Tanner Roark, Chase Anderson, and Huyn-Jin Ryu as the rotation holdovers.

In addition to Bergen, the Blue Jays also have Anthony Kay, Ryan Borucki, Jacob Waguespack, and Julian Merryweather in their bullpen, all of which have extensive rotation experience starting 183 of 295 combined games at the minor league level.

Through parts of two seasons in Toronto, Pannone went 7-7 with an ERA of 5.43 in an even 116 innings pitched.

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