Adam

Macko

Macko is back for a second major league stint after posting a 1.50 ERA and a 12/2 K/BB in 12 innings during the first one. He’ll likely get most of his work in the middle innings of games.

Macko heads back to the minors with marquee free agent acquisition Dylan Cease coming off the injured list to start Tuesday’s game against the Phillies. The 25-year-old lefty compiled a strong 1.50 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 12/2 K/BB ratio across 12 innings over 12 appearances during his first stint with Toronto. He’ll return at some point later this summer.

Macko drew the starting assignment in place of an injured Dylan Cease (hamstring) and managed to record five outs before turning things over to bulk reliever Austin Voth, who surrendered five runs over 3 1/3 frames. He figures to get at least one or two additional turns in Toronto’s rotation before Cease is ready to come off the injured list.

Macko gets the ball for his first career start after tossing four scoreless innings out of Toronto’s bullpen since being called up from Triple-A Buffalo earlier this month. The 25-year-old lefty is not a recommended streaming option for fantasy purposes, especially in a tough road matchup at hitter-friendly Camden Yards.

It’s the first trip to the big leagues for the 25-year-old southpaw. Macko registered a 4.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and a 19/8 K/BB ratio across 18 innings out of the bullpen at Triple-A Buffalo. He’ll settle into a middle relief role for the Jays.

Macko has spent the last couple years on Toronto’s 40-man roster but has yet to reach the big leagues. He’ll have to wait a bit longer now. Stanifer made a big jump last year, showing that he could stick as a starter and finishing the season at Double-A New Hampshire. He projects as a back-end rotation arm down the road.

He averaged 95.0 mph with his fastball today, which is a nice bump from last year’s 93.0 average in Triple-A. Macko keeps missing time each year, slowing his development, and he wound up finishing last year in the pen in Triple-A. He doesn’t seem hopeless as a starter just yet, but this is his last option year and it’s not going to be easy for him to break into the Toronto rotation; a full-time move to the pen might come at some point.

Macko was shut down from throwing a couple weeks ago after suffering a meniscus tear in his left knee. The 24-year-old southpaw should be an option for Toronto’s bullpen at some point later this year, if he manages to avoid season-ending surgery.

Macko felt something during a side session over the weekend and has an appointment scheduled for Wednesday. Surgery is being considered as a possible option. The 24-year-old pitched to a 4.87 ERA in 81 1/3 innings in Double-A in 2024 and was likely slated to begin the season in Triple-A.

It’s the first large batch of cuts for the Jays’ this spring, but there were no major surprises in the bunch. Macko, 23, made 20 starts at High-A Vancouver in 2023, posting a 4.81 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and a 106/40 K/BB ratio over 86 innings of work. Expect him to begin the 2024 campaign at Double-A New Hampshire.