David

Phelps

The 36-year-old hurler logged 682 2/3 innings over 10 big league seasons — compiling a 3.80 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 8.8 K/9 for the Yankees, Marlins, Mariners, Blue Jays, Cubs, Brewers and Phillies. Best of luck as he transitions to the next phase of his life.

In his second save opportunity of the year, Phelps sat down the first two batters he faced. Max Stassi then hit a two-out single, but Phelps got Andrew Velazquez to fly out to end the game. The 35-year-old right-hander has a 2.41 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 17/9 K/BB through 18 2/3 innings.

Phelps inked a minor league deal this offseason but basically just needed to show he was recovered from lat surgery in order to be added to the roster. He’s done that this spring, even as his results haven’t been good. Phelps -- who will make $1.75 million with $1.75 million more available in incentives -- could help set up for Jordan Romano.

Phelps made 11 appearances this past season before undergoing surgery for a strained lat. The 35-year-old should stand a good chance to make the Jays’ roster if healthy.

Phelps initially suffered the injury on May 5 and may have reaggravated it at some point recently. Or perhaps further testing revealed that it would not get better without a surgical repair. The 34-year-old reliever had pitched to a sharp 0.84 ERA and 15/4 K/BB ratio in 10 1/3 innings (11 appearances) this season for the Jays.

It’s a procedural move, as the Blue Jays need to make room on the 40-man roster for Nick Allgeyer. Phelps is on the injured list with a lat strain and isn’t expected back until the middle of the summer at the earliest.

Phelps was sent for an MRI on Thursday after getting lifted from a relief appearance Wednesday night against the A’s due to shoulder discomfort, and the imaging revealed the lat strain. Phelps, 34, had registered an impressive 0.84 ERA and 15/4 K/BB ratio through 10 1/3 innings of work this season out of the Jays’ bullpen.

Phelps entered in the bottom of the eighth but didn’t make it through his warmup pitches. He’ll be reevaluated on Thursday. The 34-year-old has been one of the Jays’ most reliable relievers so far in 2021.

T.J. Zeuch had been the expected starter but he will follow Phelps as the bulk innings guy instead. Phelps served as an opener for the Jays once back in 2019, too.

He can earn another $750,000 through performance-based bonuses, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Phelps became a free agent in late October after the Phillies declined his $4.5 million club option for 2021. The veteran reliever had a shiny 2.77 ERA and 20/2 K/BB ratio through his first 13 innings last season with the Brewers before getting traded to Philadelphia at the August 31 deadline and struggling mightily down the stretch.