Colby

Rasmus

That was the assumption already after Rasmus left the Orioles around midseason, but now it’s apparently official. Assuming he’s done once and for all, the 32-year-old will walk away with a .241/.310/.436 batting line and 166 homers over 10 seasons in the majors. He appeared in just 18 games with the Orioles in 2018.

Rasmus, the 28th selection in the 2005 draft, is batting .302/.359/.478 with 13 steals as a 19-year-old in the Midwest League. He’s the Cardinals’ top position prospect.

Rasmus, a 2005 first-round pick, hit .310/.373/.512 in 303 at-bats as a 19-year-old in the Midwest League. It’s already time to start thinking of him as a quality fantasy prospect.

If his workouts go smoothly over the next couple days, Rasmus could be cleared for a minor league rehab assignment by Saturday or Sunday. The 25-year-old center fielder has been on the disabled list since August 24 with inflammation in his right wrist. He should be back early next week.

Rasmus has gone 1-for-12 at the plate in three rehab games with Double-A New Hampshire, who is battling in the Eastern League playoffs. But, the important thing is that his wrist evidently feels fine. “It’s likely that Colby is back to us for the weekend series against New York,” Blue Jays manager John Farrell said. “We’re just looking at the schedule. With tonight’s game, and then being off, we still need to see Colby with us, and it’s a natural break in the schedule.”

Rasmus went 0-for-7 in two games as the designated hitter with Double-A New Hampshire over the weekend and will play another rehab game Monday night. The 25-year-old center field has been sidelined since late-August with a sprained right wrist.

He’ll be replaced by DeWayne Wise. Rasmus is batting just .187/.217/.341 with three homers over 123 at-bats since joining the Blue Jays.

Beeston also clarified comments from a fan get-together in February, saying that the club’s $120 million payroll figure is in reference to salaries on the 40-man roster and not including draft bonuses and international free agency. “We were $3-4 million in (amateur) free agents before,” Beeston said. “We’re spending $15 million on free agents now, when you add all the numbers up. I’m talking $120 million in salaries and I still believe once we do that, there will be a much better buzz about the team.” The Blue Jays need to show they can contend before landing premier free agents on the open market, but appear to be on the verge of a breakout season. The Colby Rasmus trade showed they can afford to move several attractive pieces without mortgaging their future.

Rasmus has struggled mightily in the early going, so it’s nice to see him contribute something productive. His solo HR was one of four that the Jays hit in the game (Yunel Escobar, Edwin Encarnacion and Kelly Johnson), but the power display wasn’t enough on this night.

Rasmus is hitting .184 with no homers in 49 at-bats this spring. It was understandable that he struggled in his new environment after being traded to Toronto last year, but expectations will be quite a bit higher now and it looks like a lousy April could be on the way.